Review of Operation Olive Tree
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Sarah Martin 5
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- Latest Review: Operation Olive Tree by Jemil Metti
Review of Operation Olive Tree
[Following is a volunteer review of "Operation Olive Tree" by Jemil Metti.]
In Operation Olive Tree, a select group of children from Palestine and Israel receive a rare opportunity to enroll at Wahat-Al-Salam – Neve Shalom High School. Teenagers from families normally at complete odds with each other, who have often been involved in verbal and violent interactions, sit side-by-side in a new learning environment. Within this experimental initiative, Palestinian and Israeli children enroll together in an educational program that seeks to accommodate, validate, and provide quality educate to both. Students have classes in both Arabic and Hebrew, speak on topics weighing on both communities, and discuss and debate their concerns and viewpoints in a safe, supportive environment.
Within this unique classroom setting, a Jewish girl, Irith and a Palestinian boy, Jamal are discovered to be not only academically astute, but vocally gifted as well. The teenagers choose to receive formal voice training in the operatic musical genre to exemplify what peaceful cooperation can achieve. This new association is considered more inappropriate and potentially politically damaging then the original premise of a joint academic setting. Becoming friendly with each other causes great turmoil in their lives.
With a nationalistic viewpoint from two competing ideologies, Operation Olive Tree makes it clear that to pursue future dreams not in line with your parents, family, or community’s objectives are not valued. Personal dreams and happiness are not as important as commitment to and the welfare of community and country. To choose a future path benefiting the individual is unheard of and unconscionable. Jemil Metti expresses the struggle of pursuing what you love at the cost of those you love on every page.
I greatly enjoyed this book and give it 4 out of 4 stars. Metti’s knowledge of this region and time period is obvious. He connects the need and desire the Middle East has for peace while simultaneously exhibiting the entrenched complexities. It is not a one-sided portrayal of concerns, difficulties, and prejudices both sides carry in their everyday lives and decision-making processes. Metti reveals the strong current those from both communities are against who desire to move past violent histories in favor of peace and tolerance: betrayal to your family, to your neighbor, and to your birthright are all highlighted. The author has created a picture for the reader of the volatile, dynamic, and ongoing situation that has yet to assume a satisfactory resolution.
This book begins with a Romeo and Juliet vibe of star-crossed lovers from different communities and families who have been at war for generations. Yet, the explosive nature of this novel does not stem from this sort of relationship. Deeper and more profound than any teen romance is the love actual story here – the of love of family, of heritage and country.
A downside I found to this book was that I had difficulty at times keeping up with the plot. It was very confusing to follow the development of the missions, who is on which side, and where the loyalties lie from one scene to the next, particularly toward the end of the book. At times a scene would end, and a new scene or chapter would begin with sudden character shifts. This being a criticism of the book, I say it with the caveat that due to this, I did not anticipate where each character would end up. The confusing moments I had were worth the unanticipated twists specific characters took.
Operation Olive Tree is great for anyone who wants to put a face on the interactions and events that transpire in the Middle East. It has thrilling scenes that include violent interactions when the two sides collide so I would also recommend it to teens through adults who enjoy action and drama. It is a suspenseful book without being grotesque or needlessly violent. Just enough is described for the reader to understand the weight of the events without going into graphic detail. Operation Olive Tree would also be enjoyable for those who appreciate historical fiction as it takes place primarily in the 1980s.
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Operation Olive Tree
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Operation Olive Tree, a select group of children from Palestine and Israel receive a rare opportunity to enroll at Wahat-Al-Salam – Neve Shalom High School. Teenagers from families normally at complete odds with each other, who have often been involved in verbal and violent interactions, sit side-by-side in a new learning environment. Within this experimental initiative, Palestinian and Israeli children enroll together in an educational program that seeks to accommodate, validate, and provide quality educate to both. Students have classes in both Arabic and Hebrew, speak on topics weighing on both communities, and discuss and debate their concerns and viewpoints in a safe, supportive environment.
Within this unique classroom setting, a Jewish girl, Irith and a Palestinian boy, Jamal are discovered to be not only academically astute, but vocally gifted as well. The teenagers choose to receive formal voice training in the operatic musical genre to exemplify what peaceful cooperation can achieve. This new association is considered more inappropriate and potentially politically damaging then the original premise of a joint academic setting. Becoming friendly with each other causes great turmoil in their lives.
With a nationalistic viewpoint from two competing ideologies, Operation Olive Tree makes it clear that to pursue future dreams not in line with your parents, family, or community’s objectives are not valued. Personal dreams and happiness are not as important as commitment to and the welfare of community and country. To choose a future path benefiting the individual is unheard of and unconscionable. Jemil Metti expresses the struggle of pursuing what you love at the cost of those you love on every page.
I greatly enjoyed this book and give it 4 out of 4 stars. Metti’s knowledge of this region and time period is obvious. He connects the need and desire the Middle East has for peace while simultaneously exhibiting the entrenched complexities. It is not a one-sided portrayal of concerns, difficulties, and prejudices both sides carry in their everyday lives and decision-making processes. Metti reveals the strong current those from both communities are against who desire to move past violent histories in favor of peace and tolerance: betrayal to your family, to your neighbor, and to your birthright are all highlighted. The author has created a picture for the reader of the volatile, dynamic, and ongoing situation that has yet to assume a satisfactory resolution.
This book begins with a Romeo and Juliet vibe of star-crossed lovers from different communities and families who have been at war for generations. Yet, the explosive nature of this novel does not stem from this sort of relationship. Deeper and more profound than any teen romance is the love actual story here – the of love of family, of heritage and country.
A downside I found to this book was that I had difficulty at times keeping up with the plot. It was very confusing to follow the development of the missions, who is on which side, and where the loyalties lie from one scene to the next, particularly toward the end of the book. At times a scene would end, and a new scene or chapter would begin with sudden character shifts. This being a criticism of the book, I say it with the caveat that due to this, I did not anticipate where each character would end up. The confusing moments I had were worth the unanticipated twists specific characters took.
Operation Olive Tree is great for anyone who wants to put a face on the interactions and events that transpire in the Middle East. It has thrilling scenes that include violent interactions when the two sides collide so I would also recommend it to teens through adults who enjoy action and drama. It is a suspenseful book without being grotesque or needlessly violent. Just enough is described for the reader to understand the weight of the events without going into graphic detail. Operation Olive Tree would also be enjoyable for those who appreciate historical fiction as it takes place primarily in the 1980s.
******
Operation Olive Tree
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Operation Olive Tree by Jemil Metti
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Sammy Kamau 2
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- Latest Review: Radioland by m.e. Elzey
"It is a suspenseful book without being grotesque or needlessly violent". Thank you for pointing this out I hate violence. Your review has made this book to be appealing I will try and read it.
Latest Review: Radioland by m.e. Elzey
