Ellie Diez

Upon completing his service in the Israel Defense Forces, Kobi Zucker needed to get away from the pressures of the Middle East. With memories of his time there on his mind, he comes to New York City on his way to South America. While working to earn money for his trip, Kobi meets the girl of his dreams beautiful and intelligent Leila. But Leila is Palestinian, having come to New York from the West Bank with her family following the death of her oldest brother during the Intifada. Despite differences, Kobi and Leila fall in love. Meanwhile, Leila's only surviving brother, Ghazi, is having his own troubles adapting to life in his new country. Ghazi increasingly comes under the spell of a radical Muslim preacher. Ghazi now determined to prevent Leila from dishonoring her family while Leila struggles with her feelings for Kobi and her past. Can love overcome the ancient hatreds and unhealed wounds dividing Israelis and Palestinians?

A struggling writer suffers a psychotic break and is now unable to distinguish fiction from reality.