Brothers in the name of peace

The witness of Maoz Inon and Aziz Abu Sarah inspired the coordination of Israeli and Palestinian organizations committed to dialogue

Roberto Cetera

“On 7 October, I lost my father and mother, but I gained a brother”, says Maoz with a big smile. That terrible morning, in their home in Netiv HaAsara, Maoz’s parents were killed by an incendiary rocket fired by Hamas. Since that day, Maoz Inon, a 50-year-old Israeli tourism entrepreneur, has chosen to channel his grief into a determined and courageous commitment against war and for peace between the two peoples, recognizing the suffering of “others” as well.

The person he calls his newfound brother is Aziz Abu Sarah, a 45-year-old Palestinian tourism operator from Al-Eizariya, a town on the border between Jerusalem and the West Bank, known as Bethany. When Aziz was just nine years old, his 18-year-old brother, Tayseer, was arrested by Israeli soldiers on suspicion of throwing stones at vehicles with Israeli license plates. Tayseer remained in an Israeli prison for about one year. After finally being released, he returned home and died only a few weeks later from internal injuries caused by torture inflicted during his detention.

For Aziz, too, this suffering led to an unwavering commitment to peace between the two peoples. Maoz tells L’Osservatore Romano, “On 7 October, after being informed of the tragedy that had struck my family, the first call of condolence and heartfelt support I received was from Aziz. Our fight for peace has made us brothers, more than blood ties ever could”.

However, the journey that led Maoz and Aziz to this brotherhood of peace did not begin on 7 October. In his successful career as a tourism entrepreneur, Maoz had organized itineraries that included the occupied Palestinian territories. He was known for the originality of his tours and, because of this, had faced criticism in Israeli circles. After his brother’s death, Aziz moved to Jerusalem to obtain an identity card. There, he joined Fatah’s youth movement and became known for his harsh writings against the Israeli occupiers, fuelled by deep-seated anger and frustration from a young age. These writings led to his arrest and six months of imprisonment. However, living in Jerusalem allowed him to experience Israeli society first-hand, to learn Hebrew, and to attend a Christian college — experiences that helped him begin to see the conflict from a different perspective.

He then joined the Parents Circle Families Forum, an association of both Israeli and Palestinian families who have lost loved ones in the conflict and who seek, not revenge but reconciliation, peace and tolerance.

Since 7 October, the peace activism of Maoz and Aziz has become a priority in their lives, of which they have borne witness not just in Israel and Palestine, but also by travelling worldwide to share their message. On 18 May of last year, they met Pope Francis in Verona.

“It was a meeting that, through the Holy Father’s words of encouragement, further strengthened and enriched our commitment to peace. Pope Francis moved us deeply”, says Aziz. “In a world torn apart by a polarizing mentality that exacerbates existing divisions, Pope Francis’ words stand out as the only ones truly oriented toward dialogue, respect, and peace. He is the only world leader advocating for a new humanism”, adds Maoz. Together, they say, “We hope that through this interview, he will receive our wishes for a speedy recovery. May he know that we both pray for him every day”.

The activism of Aziz and Maoz has already led to a significant achievement: the creation of a coalition of 60 Israeli and Palestinian organizations working for peace, now united under the initiative, “It’s Time”. The name signifies that it is time to resume dialogue, to silence weapons, to calm tensions and to acknowledge each other’s suffering.

“It’s Time” is now organizing an extraordinary event, called “the largest peace demonstration in the history of Israel and Palestine”, according to Maoz. It will take place in Jerusalem on 8 and 9 May. “In addition to our organizations, we invite members of civil society, politics, and religious communities from all over the world to join us. Representatives of Christian denominations in the Holy Land have already confirmed their participation. It will be two days filled with many events held at multiple locations across the city, both in the east and in the west, including the Old City. There will also be a large gathering for the final event”, explains Aziz.

Maoz concludes, “The vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians no longer want war. They do not want more grief, violence or suffering. It is time for political leaders to understand this”.