Cry of Hope

Graduate students Ashley Wells and her Palestinian Christian fiancE Najid rush to a Jerusalem hospital to find his injured brother Sami in the same room with Ariel, the wounded Israeli soldier who shot him in a demonstration. They meet Mustafa a young man from Gaza whose entire family was incinerated by Ariel's cousin Chaim, an Israel helicopter pilot as part of Operation Cast Lead. With Ashley's previous traumas and Najid's family eviction, the young people have all been hurt or experienced tragedy, some from each other. They learn to forgive. An American philanthropist hearing their stories arranges a series of forums in the U.S. Israelis and Palestinians can reconcile and become friends. Could it ever work for Israel and Palestine? Can Mustafa escape Mossad's clutches in Jerusalem or Chaim survive an assassination attempt and kidnapping in New York? What kind of reception could the group expect from the Senators on the Foreign Relations Committee? With her parent's friends disapproving of Ashley's marrying a Palestinian Arab, and the multiple postponements of the wedding, will it ever happen?