First published 2026
Aziz Abu Sarah stands at a checkpoint that divides his homeland, watching families separated by concrete barriers and armed guards. The Palestinian activist has lost relatives to this decades-long conflict, yet he continues working toward peace alongside his unlikely partner, Israeli Maoz Inon, who has also suffered family losses. Together they embark on a week-long journey across Israel and Palestine, visiting sites where competing narratives clash and ancient grievances fuel modern violence. At each stop, they confront the roadblocks and checkpoints that segregate neighboring communities. They meet people on both sides who dream of better futures for their children but remain trapped by fear and anger. Sarah and Inon refuse to accept that more violence can bring security to either people. Their friendship demonstrates that unity proves stronger than the forces of separation. Through candor and hope, they search for lasting peace in a land where families have been shattered and lives lost. Their message centers on human power to create change where none seems possible.
Genres: historical-fiction, non-fiction, biography-memoir, middle-east, current-affairs, activism
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Israel, Palestine
Period: Contemporary
240 pages · Hardcover · Crown
Content warnings: violence