In a plea for peace in the Middle East, Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah, 45, and Israeli Maoz Inon, 49, have come together with a shared message of action and hope. Maoz tragically lost both his parents in a Hamas attack in southern Israel, while Aziz’s teenage brother was killed in an Israeli prison. These personal tragedies have fuelled their resolve to seek reconciliation and peace in the region.
Abu Sarah and Inon are calling on the international community to support their efforts in building peace amidst the ongoing conflicts in the region. They cite examples like the European Union, the US-Japan relationship, and the peace achieved in Northern Ireland as evidence that peace is attainable. Emphasising the need for tangible action over mere thoughts and prayers, they advocate for an immediate halt to the violence and the initiation of meaningful dialogue between Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon.
Their own personal experiences have shaped their perspectives on peace-building. Aziz, once consumed by anger and bitterness following his brother’s tragic death, found a new path towards forgiveness and understanding through interactions with Israelis. Maoz, whose parents were peacemakers themselves, instilled in their family a commitment to working towards a better future rather than seeking revenge for their loss.
The duo believes that past negotiations have faltered due to the absence of grassroots peacemakers like themselves at the negotiation table. They advocate for a shift from promoting war to investing in peace, with a focus on values such as equality, dignity, mutual recognition, and empathy. Rejecting the traditional two-state versus one-state debate, they propose innovative solutions based on shared values rather than arbitrary boundaries.
By amplifying the voices of peacemakers and urging collective action, Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon aim to inspire change and rekindle hope for a peaceful resolution in the conflict-ridden Middle East. Their message is clear: Peace is possible if we act now and unite towards a common goal of reconciliation and understanding.