If We Can Walk Together

What does it take to choose peace when you have every reason not to?

Aziz Abu Sarah is a Palestinian who grew up under Israeli occupation in East Jerusalem. He was first shot at when he was seven years old, and in 1991, when he was ten, his older brother Tayseer died after being arrested and beaten while in Israeli military custody.

Maoz Inon is an Israeli who grew up in a community just 200 metres from the Gaza border. On 7 October 2023, his parents and many of his childhood friends died in the Hamas attacks.

Everything about their histories suggests Aziz and Maoz could never become friends. Yet, despite experiencing profound personal loss on opposite sides of one of the world’s most enduring conflicts, they have turned away from hatred and towards each other in a shared mission of peacemaking. A single text message to a stranger in a moment of empathy, sparked a friendship that would overcome seemingly insurmountable differences.

If We Can Walk Together follows their remarkable stories, from pivotal childhood experiences to moments of political awakening, and their shared decision to rise above fear and revenge.

Moving, inspiring and radically hopeful, their story offers a rare perspective on a conflict often portrayed as intractable. In bearing witness to what human connection can overcome, it invites us to imagine a future shaped not by division, but by our capacity to walk together.

This programme is part of BBC Radio 4's Common Ground season, examining the challenges of social cohesion and how to address them.

Producer: Guy Natanel Executive Producers: Shannon Delwiche and Chris Jones Composer: Pat Moran Sound Mixer: John Scott Sound Engineer: Rob Fanner A Sound and Bones production for BBC Radio 4