One of the first foreign countries I visited was Israel in 1975. It was quite an eye opener for a 16-year old. I was stunned by the historical sights, moved by the people, and confused by the political winds. The trip had a deep impact on my faith because it brought to life all the places in the Bible.
Two years ago I visited again, this time with D’Aun and folks from our church. The region had the same impact on me as it did 35-years ago. There were many things exactly as I remembered, but there were some significant changes too. Chief amongst the changes was the stark economic difference between Israeli and Palestinian controlled regions. In 1975 we stayed in a beautiful hilltop hotel overlooking Jerusalem; today that hotel is a dump that nobody stays in unless they have to. In 1975 I was struck by the arid land and lack of greenery, but on the most recent trip I saw vast agricultural developments that were green and lush. So, some things improved (mostly for the Israelis) and some things have gotten significantly worse (mostly for the Palestinians). Why? I wondered it aloud often on my recent trip.
When a friend noticed that I had read Between Two Worlds, she recommended that I also read “Son of Hamas.” A good recommendation. It fit perfectly into my desire to better understand Palestine.
Mosab Hassan Yousef has quite a story to tell in “Son of Hamas”. The son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founder of Hamas, Mosab tells the story of growing up within a loving family that in turn lived within a culture of violence, deceit and revenge. At just 18-years old he finds himself caught up in the violence and is arrested for buying guns (which, ironically, did not work). While in jail, Mosab is “turned” and becomes an informant for Shin Bet, the Israeli internal security service. Over time he converts to Christianity and is rejected by his friends his family. Naturally, many call him a traitor and heathen, but his story outlines the natural and spiritual progression of these steps.
And that’s the simple version. It’s a fascinating story of a man who lives in the midst of our headlines. He walks with terrorists, works as a spy, and acts as a bodyguard for his father. He calls out the hypocrisy of Hamas, the unchecked Israeli desire for vengeance, and the lack of understanding on both sides. But he also shares stories of real compassion and thoughtfulness from both Palestinians and Israelis.
His love for family permeates the entire book. His spiritual walk is less documented, but nevertheless a powerful storyline in the book. Throughout it all, he honors his father as a devout man who loves his people. This is striking. And admirable. Mosab has a powerful story to tell and no matter your spiritual convictions, his book is well worth reading.
This was the first real “stay up late and keep turning the pages” book I’ve read this year. Go buy it. Now.
