May 19, 1948: the new State of Israel is just five days old, and the
entrenched Muslim and Jewish forces fight furiously over a holy land
they are willing to die for. At this moment, after months of struggle,
the siege of Jerusalem’s Old City is lifted as patriot soldiers break
through the Zion Gate. But the celebration cannot last long, for this is
only the beginning of a long battle, ancient in its roots, and as
harrowing as it is glorious.
