How do you stay in relationship with someone when you deeply disagree? Especially when the stakes are high? For Aziz Abu Sarah, Robi Damelin, and Yonatan Zeigen, Palestinian and Israeli peace activists, the answer lies in finding humor and empathy in each other’s stories, and not avoiding the hard conversations, especially when it comes to the areas that they do agree on: an end to violence in their region, justice and equality. “I think to have an equal relationship is something very hard… because we live in an unequal reality, ” Aziz told Tim. “There is still an occupation, an occupier and an occupied.” 

Aziz, Robi and Yonatan met through their work with The Parents Circle, which brings together Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones due to violence and are pushing for peace in the region. Robi lost her son, Aziz his brother, and Yonatan his mother, Vivian, who was murdered in her home on October 7th, 2023. Even though loss brought them together, their sense of humor keeps them connected. They joke around. They tease each other. In fact, as they told Tim, being able to laugh together is essential to how they build bonds and maintain relationships while doing the difficult work of peacebuilding.

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You can find more about The Parents Circle Families Forum at their website: parentscirclefriends.org. You can find Aziz’s work at: AzizAbuSarah.com.

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Our theme music was written by Andy Ogden and produced by Tim Lauer, Andy Ogden and Julian Raymond. All other music that you hear in this episode is courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

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