Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah and Israeli Maoz Inon spoke in Palo Alto on June 15, 2025 at Congregation Etz Chayim and Spark Church. Both men have had close family members killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and yet they believe that peace is possible, and are committed to work toward that goal.
CLICK HERE to watch a recording of their conversation on youtube.
For a TED talk they gave earlier, they decided to articulate, in 30 seconds, how to create hope. This is what they said:
“Hope is an action that we create together with others by envisioning a better future and acting to make it into a reality.”
CLICK HERE to watch a recording of their full conversation on youtube. Click here to watch the Question and Response portion of the presentation on June 15. Click here to watch their April 2024 TED talk.
Maoz Inon is an Israeli social entrepreneur and peace activist, co-founder of the Fauzi Azar Inn and Jesus Trail in Nazareth, created to promote Jewish – Arab connection through tourism. Maoz also co-founded Abraham Hostels, Israel’s largest hostel chain. Tragically, Maoz’s parents were killed in their safe room on October 7th, 2023 in the Hamas attack.
At a young age, Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah lost his brother to violence at the hands of the IDF. Aziz took that pain and turned it around to live life as a peace builder, cultural educator, entrepreneur, author, international speaker and co founder of MEJDI Tours, focusing on dual narrative educational travel and conflict resolution. Published and featured in National Geographic, CNN, TED, the New York Times, Washington Post, and Haaretz, Aziz is the author of Crossing Boundaries – A Traveler’s Guide to World Peace, and the co-author of Strangers, Neighbors, Friends: Muslim-Christian-Jewish Reflections on Compassion and Peace.
Since 2023, Aziz and Moaz have joined forces in their pursuit for peace, traveling globally and sharing their message of peace and hope with all who will listen. Together, they co-lead InterAct International, a non profit advancing sustainability, education, and cross cultural connections. Aziz and Maoz carry the weight of personal tragedies inflicted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but they are transforming their pain into a shared pursuit of peace for all.