Ha-Shir Shel Rosie

Fourteen-year-old Ella’s life is turned upside down when she is injured in a terrorist attack. Yarus, originally from Ethiopia and her best friend, dies in the attack, and Ella becomes confused and closed off. Many questions torment her: Why did the terrorist kill others and herself? What does her family think about it? And can one end this madness, which is hurting Palestinians and Israelis alike?

While Ella is in hospital, she makes friends with Mahar, an Arab boy injured in a motorcycle accident. She discovers that he is asking similar questions and the two have very open, intense discussions. Although Ella’s father cuts off their relationship after she goes home, they manage to meet in secret and are joined by another boy, Eytan. During this time, Mahar helps Ella to contact the terrorist’s family who live on the other side of the checkpoint, and a moving correspondence with little Ra’ania makes Ella want to visit them. She wants to make them see what a terrible thing their daughter did, so it will not happen again. In the end, the three friends don’t reach the village, but their experiences along the way create a strong bond between them, and help Ella cope with her trauma.