Summary
Highlights
Mosab describes how he got involved in violent activities as a child, including throwing stones at Israeli vehicles and hanging Palestinian flags. He explains that he saw it as participating in the cause, influenced by societal praise of the Intifada. He acknowledges the terror he caused and now understands it wasn't an act of resistance.
Mosab recounts being arrested by Israeli soldiers at age 10. He was taken to a military base, but surprisingly, the soldiers did not use force or beat him. Instead, they walked him to the gate and told him to walk home as a punishment, warning him not to throw stones again. He contrasted this treatment with how he would have been treated if he harmed Arabs.
Mosab explains that he was arrested again at 15 for writing Hamas graffiti, but was released as a minor. Later, at 18, he was arrested for purchasing guns, leading to involvement with the Shin Bet. They knew his father was a Hamas leader and tried to recruit him as an agent. He initially agreed with the intention to deceive them and work for Hamas.
Mosab was sent to prison, but not a typical Israeli prison. it was controlled by Hamas. He told Hamas about his plan to fool Israeli intelligence, but they were skeptical. He spent 16 months in this prison, witnessing brutality and torture, and struggling to convince Hamas of his intentions.
After his release, Hamas continued to monitor him, and Israeli intelligence approached him again. During the meeting, the Israeli told Mosab that all the prisoners were innocent and Hamas was killing their own people out of frustration.. This revelation led him to question his father's organization and its accountability.