Beirut Heart: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR READING GROUPS.

1.  Cathy Sultan attempts to explain why she stayed in Beirut, why she kept her children in a war zone. Were you satisfied with the reasons she gave? What would you have done under similar circumstances? 

2.  Women are the unsung heroes in war. The author believes women should raise their collective voices to protest war at any cost. She stands with the Women in Black in her community. Around the world, WIB stand in silent vigil to protest war, rape as a tool of war, ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses. Would you consider starting a WIB group in your community?

3.  Whether catalyst or cause, the Palestinian presence in Beirut was a major factor in the Lebanese civil war. Does the author explain this adequately? Do you think Arafat was justified in using Lebanon to attack Israel and if not, what should he have done differently?

4.  If you lived in South Lebanon, how would you have dealt with the Palestinian presence on your land? Were the Israelis justified in retaliating the way they did?

5.  Israel illegally occupied South Lebanon for twenty-two years. Some Lebanese chose to collaborate with the Israelis. Those who refused were thrown into the Israeli-run Khiam prison. What would you have done?

6.  Hezbollah fought Israel’s illegal occupation of South Lebanon, eventually forcing the Israeli Army to withdrawal. Were they right to resist occupation? Would you have joined them?

7.  The author has given an in-depth look at the various militias involved in the Lebanese civil war. Can you explain how otherwise civilized men can turn into cold-blooded killers seemingly overnight?  

8.  The author conducted herself, at times, irresponsibly. Did you sympathize with her or did you find her behavior outrageous?

9.  In 1982-83, the US Marines in Beirut were on a peace-keeping mission. They were not allowed to carry weapons. Should they have been allowed to defend themselves?

10.  In Spring 1983, another suicide bomber destroyed the American Embassy in Beirut. Do you think the US government learned any lessons from that tragedy?

11. Lebanon, like other countries in the Middle East, was emerging as a place where centuries of Arab resentment toward the West were beginning to find voice and direction?  Is America’s behavior in Iraq encouraging stability or turmoil in the area?

12.  In February 2005, Lebanon’s former Prime Minister, Rafic Hariri, was assassinated. If it was the Syrians who killed him, what did they hope to gain? If it was not the Syrians, who else stood to gain from continued turmoil in Lebanon and why?

13. After living war first-hand, the author now promotes peace. She sits on the Board of the National Peace Foundation, an NGO in Washington, D.C. where she coordinates programs that educate people about the Middle East conflict. Would you be interested in working with the author on one of her projects? She can be reached at npf@nationalpeace.org

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN VOICES

1.  Did you feel that the author presented a balanced account of her visit to Israel/Palestine? Use your answer to examine your own preconceived ideas and biases.

2.  The Israeli government is building a separation wall around Jerusalem. In the long run what effect will this have on Israeli security?

3.  Why does the author think there is little difference between the Israeli and American publics? What do you think might be possible differences?

4.  Many Palestinians believe a two-state solution is no longer possible. What is your opinion?

5.  Was there any information in the “Brief History of the Middle East” which surprised you?

6.  Which interview did you find the most interesting? What did you learn from it?

7.  Sam, the businessman from Ramallah, spoke of Arafat and Rabin. Why did he compare the two men? What did he mean when he said, “Being elected is not being a leader. It is simply being a politician?”

8.  Why do you think the author insisted on carrying the Palestinian textbooks out of Ramallah? Use the information found in the Author’s Note in Huwaida Arraf’s interview to initiate a discussion.

9.  The three Palestinian teenagers suggest that they and their Israeli counterparts can solve the crisis. Given a chance, are the people more likely than their leaders to solve the major differences?

10.  According to Maha, America is a plutocracy of powerful people who fun both the government and corporate America. What is your opinion?