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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 seems to be the goal of both sides of the Palestinian conflict?

2. Of what are those who are killed accused?

3. Why is the lay person in charge of the church in Ibillin angry?

4. What does Elias call upon the Palestinians to do?

5. What does Elias establish in Ibillin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Bishop Raya's background and what was he determined to do?

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

3. How was Palestine ruled until the end of World War I and then what happened?

4. What did Elias finally do in the church at Ibillin and what was the result?

5. What happened about the massacre in question number 50?

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

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

8. What does Elias Chacour hope about his book?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A second Supreme Court ruling returns Biram to its original residents. This time, the soldiers gave the villagers the date of December 25 for return. On Christmas morning, the villagers of Gish walked to Biram, only to find the village still surrounded by soldiers and tanks. Then, as the returning residents watched, the Zionists destroyed the village. Elias is devastated but, even more, experiences a rage that cannot be reconciled with the teachings of Jesus to love and pray for one's enemies. Discuss the following:

1. Is Elias' rage understandable? Do you think he expects too much of himself to want to love and pray for the soldiers as he watches them destroy his village?

2. How does Elias eventually release the rage he experiences at the Zionist? Does it seem he is sincerely healed of the anger?

3. One of Jesus' teachings says that if someone smite you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. Is this realistic in a situation such as the one with the Zionist destroying Biram? Why or why not? What kind of person would be able to follow such a teaching? Could you?

Essay Topic 2

When Elias' father, brothers and other men of Biram are making their way back to their homelands, they walk through Syria and receive no help from Arab villages, who saw them as "dirty Palestinians" and dangerous to their own well-being. Discuss the following:

1. Are the Syrians justified in not offering help to the returning Palestinians?

2. Why do you think the Syrians would call Elias' father, brothers and other men of Biram "dirty Palestinians"? Is this a means of making themselves feel better?

3. How do you think Elias' father, brothers and other men of Biram could be dangerous to the Syrian's well being?

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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