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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the world demand?

2. What do the sisters start for the children?

3. What are Elias's efforts in Ibillin not hugely successful?

4. Who is killed at Sabra and Shatila?

5. What happens to a village as a result of Elias' intercession?

Short Essay Questions

1. What assignment did Elias receive following his ordination and what was his first encounter like there?

2. What was Elias doing when he knew what work remained for him and what was that work?

3. What does Elias ask of the Jew, Westerners, and Arabs?

4. What was Biram like when Elias returned there from his time in Paris?

5. What does Chacour call upon the nations who war and why does he see it as an insult to God?

6. What does Elias first decide to do about the church in Ibillin? How does his efforts work?

7. How did Elias feel after researching the history of Palestine and Jews and why did he feel that way?

8. What was one of Elias's most acclaimed accomplishments mentioned in the chapter "Work, For the Night is Coming?"

9. What was the reality about the Palestinians that Elias had to face in the last 1960's?

10. What occurred during some of Elias's successes that set back the peace movement?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

An understanding of the events of Blood Brothers hinges upon an understanding of the geopolitical situation of Palestine. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and analyze the history of how the State of Israel came about. Why do the Jewish people choose Palestine as the land to settle? How many Jewish people are already residing in Palestine prior to the decision of Zionist to invade Palestinian land? What is the nature of the relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims before the arrival of Zionists? Does your research seem to agree with what Elias Chacour writes in Blood Brothers? What are the discrepancies if any?

2. Research and discuss the history of Palestine under the Ottoman Empire. What is the predominant religion of the area? Is tolerance practiced? Is any particular group discriminated against? Who? Why? Are the lives of the Palestinians better or worse under the Ottoman Empire than under the government of Israel? Cite examples to support your answers. Do you think the Palestinians preferred the Ottoman Empire or that of the British? Explain your answer.

3. Research and discuss how the Jewish nation has changed Palestine. Have they initiated improvements? What ones? Have they treated the land respectfully? Why or why not. Does Israel practice religious tolerance today? What is the status of the Palestinians today in the first decade of the 21st century.

Essay Topic 2

As a youngster, Elias loves to hear about Jesus and his miracles from his mother. Discuss the following:

1. Trace and analyze the young Elias' religious involvement. How influential is his early religious life on who he becomes? Does his spirituality seem sincere? Why or why not?

2. Elias has difficulty understanding the Beatitudes. What are the Beatitudes? State them. Choose two of them to interpret in light of your own beliefs.

3. Discuss Elias' view of Jesus and how Elias comes to be either like or not like the image Elias holds of Jesus.

Essay Topic 3

In May, 1948, the British withdrew from Palestine completely, leaving the Zionists to pursue their land grabs, blowing up entire villages in their path. Discuss the following:

1. Is there any justification for the Zionist policy towards the Palestinians according to Chacour? Do you think the actions of the Zionist are justfied? Why or why not?

2. What would you have done if your village was suddenly occupied by Zionist soldiers? Would you have welcomed them, tried to sabotage their purpose, or forgiven their actions?

3. How does the guilt that the Europeans experience over the Holocaust contribute to their recognizing Israel despite the violations against native Palestinians?

(see the answer keys)

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