Dawn

This chapter opens with Elisha’s admission: “In all probability, I had killed before, but under entirely different circumstances” (24). He has killed political enemies in service of the Movement’s mission to “get the English out” (25). During his first six weeks in Palestine, Elisha learned to become a “terrorist” under Gad’s instruction. Elisha retrospectively views this as “indoctrination.” He recalls Gad’s incendiary speeches, laden with violent and religious rhetoric. Another leader in the Movement spoke of “the eleventh commandment: Hate your enemy” (26-27).

Elisha reveals that Dawson is being held in the basement below the house that he and Gad occupy. He thinks back to the first time he participated in a terrorist operation. He and five other Jewish fighters ambushed a group of English soldiers and shot them dead with tommy guns. The event made Elisha flash back to witnessing Nazis execute a group of prisoners via firing squad. He imagined himself as an SS officer and felt nauseous with self-hatred.

Elisha believes that killing as part of a group is easier than killing a hostage one-on-one. Again, Gad reminds him not to torture himself because it’s part of war.

Ilana and two bodyguards, Gideon and Joab, arrive at the house.