Blood Brothers

AMAZING

'Blood Brothers' is a truly inspiring and amazing book. This nonfiction book written by Elias Chacour is an unforgettable story of a Palestinian involved in the Palestine-Israel conflict. Elias Chacour is a Palestinian who dedicated his life for peace in Israel, and tells of the influences that shaped his life. Since he was a little boy, he referred to Jesus as his 'Champion' and that he could feel His presence. Many of his important lessons came from his father. '[Elias' father often] said, 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' 'I didn't know it then,' says Elias Chacour after he describes his father's words, 'but this was to be one of the most important prayers of my life.' Early in his childhood, his village is raided by soldiers and all of the villagers homes were ruined in addition to being exiled out of their village forever. In attempt give their youngest son an education, Elias' parents ask the Bishop, that frequently visited, to send Elias to school. The Bishop agrees and that becomes the start of Elias' development towards working for peace. Father Chacour describes his struggles between the connection that he feels with the Jewish, as his father always referred to them as their 'blood brothers,' and the way his people were being exiled from their homes and how their situation is pretty much unrecognized in the world. This book really shows how we can make peace happen, and I truly recommend this book to people who are currently researching the Palestine-Israel conflict, wants to know more about this issue, or just wants a good, inspiring book to read. Elias Chacour really has a way of pulling you into the book and making you feel personally involved. I just finished reading this book since it was required for my class and it was so much more than I expected it to be.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pastor and Seminary Graduate

Highly recommended. In the words of Paul Harvey it's for those who want to hear 'the rest of the story.' Enlightening. Illumination. A story of deep faith and trust in the power of Love conquering Hate and Good conquering Evil. It is a book of hope and resilience in the midst of a seemingly impossible situation. One of the most touching, sincere autobiographies I have ever read. Inspirational. I first read this book ten years ago and still recommend it to people who are interested in the Middle East. Right now I'm ordering one to replace the one I lent out and another one to share.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Abuna is Brilliant!

Chacour recounts his personal experience of the creation of the state of Israel. Not only is this a touching story, it brings a perspective not usually discussed when people talk about the troubles in the mideast. I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in not only the mideast, but in the human condition.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A fair account

This book is a very touching recount of the life of a Palestinian Arab and his memories of being expelled from his village when the Jews took over Israel and the hardships that took on his life after the fact. While Chacour does give these painful accounts of the life he has had to face, he in no way is bitter or hateful because of them. On the contrary, he offers possible solutions to the conflicts while explaining his side of the story and providing a great deal of history. Chacour tells his readers about the prejudices that were placed against him by the Jews in Israel and Europeans or all religions. He was made to leave the home he and his family had known for thousands of years and then had to read in history books that it never happened! He explains how these experiences led him to God. The story then moves on to explaining his struggles with the Israeli government to gain rights for his people. I have had the extreme honor of meeting Elias Chacour after I read this book and 2 years before the 9/11 attacks and then again just a few weeks ago. I stayed with him in his village of Ibillin in Galilee. While there we spoke every evening, often late into the night about the struggles and hardships that both sides have faced in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He is very committed to doing everything he can to better his people's situations while also defending the Jews and their claim to the land as well. He in no way is anti-Israel, or anti-Jew. As he says, we all come from the same God, from the same Mother and Father, and from the same land. I saw the ruins of his village, which he is not allowed to move back to. I saw the graves of his mother and father. I saw the church that he describes so well as the place that saved him. But, more importantly, I saw a new side of this conflict. I no longer saw the Arabs as savages and terrorists that were trying to steal the land from the Jews, but rather as a race of people who is enduring the same oppression that the Jews faced for centuries. Elias Chacour is a holy man who just wants peace between these two races. This book is telling a side of the story that so often is hidden from the Western World. If you a person who is interested in opening his/her eyes to the real issues that are stopping peace from becoming reality and not just an ideal - then you need to read this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Inspirational and Insightful!!!

I bought this book few days ago from Transmillennial(R) 2001 knowing that it would give me some fresh insights concerning Middle Eastern conflicts. I was correct on sensing what my mind was up to. Yet its impact was far more surpassing than what I expected. By reading this book I felt like I was being involved spiritually in Elias's life, similar to what his Champion would've experienced. I'm so thankful that God led me to purchase this book. Now I feel like going to Galilee and be a part of this reconciliation movement that Elias is leading. This book is undoubtedly far more reliable than any other newspaper articles you would read about Middle Eastern conflicts, because this book does not simply provide information but lets you to EXPERIENCE the life of a man from Galilee.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent

I learned so much! Mostly, I learned not to accept the political spin put on complex topics like this one regarding the relationships between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Nothing to do with religious differences; everything to do with political power.

Great read!

Great book on cultural differences!

History Teacher Recommends

Andrew Christopherson, a history teacher friend of mine in Redlands California, owns a copy of this and speaks enthusiastically about it. In an era of misinformation and biased reporting in favor of Israel, he states that this book does an excellent job of illuminating the relevant perspectives.

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