Destined to Die takes place in occupied East Jeruselem, the West Bank, and Lebanon (1979). Nabeel, a student at Bir Zeit University, is arrested on unsubstantiated charges of terrorism. Interrogated and tortured by Major Rosenberg, he is held in solitary confinement for weeks. Released, he decides to go to Lebanon to join the PLO. His devoted girl-friend, Samira--a fellow student--insists on going with him.
Earlier, Dr. Johnson--the American director of an archaeological institution where Nabeel's father works--attempts to get Nabeel released from prison. Troops storm his offices, everybody is searched, and he is investigated by Major Rosenberg. Accusations and coercions eventually lead to Johnson's downfall from office.
The scene shifts to war-torn Beirut and, later, to the "security belt" zone in South Lebanon. Nabeel spearheads an attack on an Israeli post and is killed just as he captures it. To avenge his death, Samira undertakes a suicide mission which destroys a landed Israeli commando unit in Beirut about to assassinate two top PLO officials.
Through its Palestinian, Israeli, and American characters, Destined to Die explores, or touches on, themes such as personal and national identity, racism, terrorism, detention without trial, victimization, loyalty, and self-sacrifice.
