The Future Is Peace: A Shared Journey Across the Holy Land

by Aziz Abu Sarah, Maoz Inon

Two lifelong peace activists and guides to Israel/Palestine, both of whom have lost family in the conflict, take readers on a revealing life-changing journey across this holy, bloodstained land and discover the mythic, political, and personal history that divides but also binds them and their peoples.

“We live next to one another, yet we are segregated by roadblocks and checkpoints. We share the same dream of a better future for our children, but we are so divided by fear and anger that we cannot recognize one another's humanity. The wounds of our history run deep, but if we are to build a shared future, we must bring down the walls of ignorance and hatred that divide us.”

Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah and Israeli Maoz Inon are unlikely peacemakers, dedicated to finding a solution to the bitter war that has decimated historical, ancient land and ended family lines. Despite the losses they have suffered, the resolve of their friendship has taught them that strength and unity are more powerful than the violence of separation. Throughout their travels, they have been constantly In the face of so much pain and suffering on both sides, when there have been so many lives lost and families shattered, how can they ever find hope? Their answer is always the same. One cannot find hope. We must create it.

In The Future Is Peace, Sarah and Inon take readers on their unforgettable weeklong journey across the holy land while exploring each other's personal and national histories in a land of competing narratives, amid the turbulent push and pull of near constant war, and the recent devastation that has rocked the world. Their mission—to explain the naivete in believing that more violence can bring security and prosperity to either people while in search of a true and lasting peace. Pairing unapologetic candor and inspirational prose, Sarah and Inon are sending a message to humanity that the people have the power to make change. Peace is achievable, not just between the river and the sea, but throughout the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle East

240 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 14, 2026

About the author

Aziz Abu Sarah is Co-CEO of InterAct International, a nonprofit dedicated to Middle East Peace. He is a peacebuilder, entrepreneur, National Geographic Explorer, TED Fellow, and renowned speaker and trainer on conflict resolution and responsible travel. Aziz is the co-founder of MEJDI Tours, a travel company on a mission to transform tourism into a global force of citizen diplomacy. He has won numerous awards, including from the United Nations, Institute of International Education, and The Explorers Club. Aziz is consistently named one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan. He has written opinion pieces for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Al-Quds, and Haaretz.

Reviews

[Corky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The vision for this book was, dare I say, perhaps a tad too grand. I learned a lot from reading this, particularly the individual experience of occupying and being occupied. That being said, this didn't read as a cohesive narrative and many sentiments were repeated far too frequently. It felt like their tour guide narrative - which no doubt is exciting and informative on actual tours, but in a book less so. While I did learn, it overall just felt slow and repetitive.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aziz and Maoz are an inspiring pair of collaborators who have turned their personal pain into a message of hope. I could not be more excited to read this book when it comes out in April!

[Betsy]

Recommended by Debbie Plawner. Pub date April 2026