In 2005 gap year student Erin and her mother are clearing out the belongings of Erin's dying grandfather Len when Erin discovers his diary. Having accompanied Jewish friend Eliza to Israel Erin begins to read it,starting with the horrifying liberation of Belsen,which gives Len empathy with the Jews. A professional soldier he is involved in the dispute in Palestine between the liberated Jews seeking their promised land and resentful Arabs.He falls for a Jewish girl,Clara,and reluctantly agrees to spy on her father Leo,a suspected Jewish dissident. His loyalties are torn when he sees comrades massacred in an ambush by insurgents. Erin finds Eliza's family also have divided loyalties,her brother Paul having Palestinian sympathies. He takes her to a cafe where a suicide bomber strikes.