In 1947, as the State of Israel was coming into being, two girls - Rebecca Stein, a Jewish refugee, and Miriam Habbra, a Palestinian - meet at a boarding school in Haifa. They become firm friends, sharing a mutual love of the land now torn by strife. But when they leave school their friendship becomes fraught with problems as the political situation separates and then pushes them into opposing camps. Rebecca and Miriam struggle to retain their humanity and sense of fair play in the face of violence, bigotry and ignorance. But when tragedy strikes their friendship is strained to its utmost.