The author describes his move to Israel as a student, his work as a prison guard, and his extended dialogue with a prisoner named Rafiq, a PLO leader, explaining how they forged a friendship despite their religious, cultural, and political differences.

The thief of mercy -- The mysterious child of lies -- Our Lady of Lourdes -- The hill of Jewish bones -- God's golden shore -- The blanket party -- Desert eagle -- Rafiq -- The army of Muhammad -- The giving famishes the craving -- Let my people go -- In the valleys of Jerusalem -- The past is in the past -- Peace without guns -- Prisoner number 26505 -- Refugees -- You were the devil to me -- You are most welcome here -- Abraham was a Muslim -- A kitbag question -- A lesson for America -- A happy man in Palestine -- Good guys -- Stop being Jewish -- I want you to live.