Blood Brothers

The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel

By: Elias Chacour, Lynne Hybels, Gabe Lyons, James A. Baker III, David Hazard

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

As a child, Elias Chacour lived in a small Palestinian village in Galilee. When tens of thousands of Palestinians were killed and nearly one million forced into refugee camps in 1948, Elias began a long struggle with how to respond. In Blood Brothers, he blends his riveting life story with historical research to reveal a little-known side of the Arab-Israeli conflict, touching on questions such as:

• What behind-the-scenes politics touched off the turmoil in the Middle East?
• What does Bible prophecy really have to say?
• Can bitter enemies ever be reconciled?

Now updated with commentary on the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as a new foreword by Lynne Hybels and Gabe Lyons, Blood Brothers offers hope and insight that can help each of us learn to live at peace in a world of tension and terror.

©2013 Elias Chacour (P)2017 Tantor

A view I had never heard

This book is a must read for anyone who loves others, it inspired me and deepened my understanding of humanity and war. The author is a Christian from Palestine who lived through the state of Israel being formed in the 1940s.

It is good to see true peace makers still exist

Knowing quite a few people of all 3 abrahamic faiths, i have often been shocked at how judgemental and hateful we all are towards each other on the basis of faith. How people who are generally good and kind can be absolute unthinking hateful beasts towards another person just because they're a different faith. If you confront them, if you force them to see the other as human, their resolve only crumbles a little! They'll say "oh but that's because X is different", and continue to otherize, dehumanize and hate everyone else without ever understanding the stupidity of their argument. Everywhere i look people use faith to excuse bigotry, xenophobia, discrimination, torture, murder, destruction of culture, genocide and a host of other such lovely human inventions. Especially for my own faith, it always seems incredible to me that anyone can be so full of hate and yet claim to follow the teachings of Jesus (with a straight face no less) and think themselves a righteous person and even think they'd be going to heaven! It made me think they must have read the new testament diagonally, only chosing the parts they liked and ignoring the rest. I've met a few priests, and most were just feeding into that hatred. Even the ones who were generally good people were hateful towards other religions. When I was in my 20s i started regarding organized religion as a plague on humanity and church as the place God died. Pretty soul crushing, since I still fundamentally define myself as Christian and i still pray, though most times i have a hard time explaining to myself why. I have long ago stopped believing in the church, since it clearly doesn't practice what it preachers and the level of hypocrisy is unbelievable. Now i think religion should be strictly personal and should never go beyond at most the closest family circle. Certainly not out in public and not used to judge and hurt others. For over 20 years, and to be honest I think since always, the only place i truly felt close to God was in nature and solitude. I only ever go to church on Easter and Christmas these days, and only because it's important to some people i love. I can count on one hand the churches where i felt spirit present, and i must have seen hundreds. So when i started this book i was at the same time hopeful and very circumspect. The subject is extremely complex and multifaceted and i feared disappointment. I am happy to see my hope was well placed, and the book itself is a lesson in introspection and honesty and responsibility. In a way father Chacour has asked many of the same fundamental questions i have asked myself, and God. Where is the truth and the justice, how can people who have been persecuted themselves turn into persecutors and not see it, or even worse, see it and think it is justified because someone else did the same to them; how is hate chosen out of a misplaced need for justice turned into revenge; how can i navigate all that and find the path that keeps me true to my values and keeps me human and keeps me from dehumanizing others, and yet allows me to take action and not be just a consenting victim. I can understand why he became a priest and even his belief in the church, though I don't share it. What remains is that he has found honest answers, with all the introspection and objectivity that implies, and in situations where i can't be sure i would have found them myself. And he took responsibility once the answers came, and took inspiring action. Chapeau ! It is refreshing and inspiring to see true peace makers still exist, and it bolsters my faith in humanity.

His love for both sides of the conflict. His unwavering faith.

Elias’ story is well written. It gives a rounded perspective on the on going conflict starting at 1947. It’s a book everyone should read and learn from.

Outstanding. A must read!

I retuned from Israel & Palestine 3 weeks ago. This was the best way to understand the difficulties and to embrace hope!

Heartbreaking and eye opening

This book did more to educate me on the Palestinian Israeli conflict than years of media propaganda. I am heartbroken over how the true victims are innocent civilians and children. I hope Elias’ message of peace reaches more people and the violence comes to an end.

An important and inspiring book!

Blood Brothers is the real-life story of a man of peace who follows the teaching of Jesus rather than descending into hate. Just read it. It does a body good. And a spirit, too!

Quite Enlightening - a real eye opener

Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down. It is riviting; it has caused me start researching the real history of the formation of Israel from different views. Excellent reading.

The Journey God placed him in

Enjoyed this book very much. It gave me a different outlook toward Israel and Palestine once believed.

Voice of Reason and Faith

A moving beautiful story appreciative of the complexity of the situation and the need for forgiveness.

Omg everyone should read this

I loved this book. I had to read it for an assignment in class and i’m glad I did. It’s a beautiful and tragic faith journey that highlights the importance of knowing and loving your enemy. With the tension between Israel and Palestine still raging on today, I think that it is important to understand both sides. Pls pls pls read this with an open mind and an open heart.