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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. How does Elias' increased fame help his people?

2. Why does Elias go to talk with the Roman Catholic sisters in Nazareth?

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

4. Who rules Palestine until the end of WWI?

5. How does Elias say terrorism is often redefined as?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did more moderate Jews call for about the establishment of Israel and the Palestinian problem?

2. What massacre was Elias told about that made Elias decide not to leave Israel?

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

4. What did Elias decide to do following his initial efforts in the church at Ibillin?

5. What does Elias Chacour hope about his book?

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

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

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

9. What type of personal epiphany did Elias have at Ibillin and what did he decide?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Elias found himself seeking out longer periods of solitude, talking to Jesus and praying for the safe return of the village men and boys. It was during this time that he began to feel that the message from Jesus was peace, and he offered himself to that end, if he could be of use. Discuss the following:

1. Most governments and individuals profess to desire peace, yet it seems almost impossible to obtain. What is the reason for the discrepancy between wanting peace and it not happening?

2. Are there some people who really do not want peace? Discuss fully both with examples from the book and other situations.

3. If the world were totally peaceful, would it be as interesting? Why or why not? Discuss fully both with examples from the book and other situations.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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