When dehumanisation and destruction become the norm the cycle must be broken. Longlisted for
the 2025 Walkley Award shortlisted for the 75th US National Jewish Book Award For over
twenty years Ittay Flescher has worked as an educator journalist and peacebuilder in
Melbourne and Jerusalem. When he woke up on the morning of October 7 2023 to the sounds of
rocket sirens over Jerusalem and later saw the devastation of Gaza in response the grief and
sadness that engulfed him - and so many others - compelled him to ask: how can we find a way
forward? Following years spent facilitating dialogue between Jews Muslims and Christians
Ittay believes that peace can only be found if we are willing to empathise with the pain of
others. The Holy and the Broken challenges Palestinian and Israeli leaders citizens and their
supporters across the world to imagine a different reality to look at history with a different
eye and to search for moments of engagement rather than resentment in the narratives of the
past that each side tells about itself. Ultimately this is a story that aims to comfort the
troubled and trouble the comfortable. Praise: 'Courageous and considered. Ittay nurtures the
tender fragile shoots of peace. The world could do with more people like him' Paul Kelly
Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist 'A book of rare insight and compassion The Holy and
the Broken offers the one thing we thought we'd lost after October 7: a glimmer of hope for
meaningful lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians' Bram Presser author of The Book of
Dirt 'At a moment when many are choosing sides Ittay Flescher encourages us to choose
humanity. He offers a vision of a shared future grounded in his life's work of grassroots
peacebuilding with Jewish Muslim and Christian youth. This timely and extraordinary book
offers something precious and much needed: hope' Rabbi Angela Buchdahl Central Synagogue New
York City ' A valuable primer for anyone wanting a fair-minded introduction to this desperately
bleak conflict and written by a man who is clearly big-hearted and brave' James Button Jewish
Independent 'What comes across consistently throughout the book is the author's sincerity and
willingness to grapple with difficult issues and tough questions' Hannah Rozenblat Jerusalem
Post 'This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book heartfelt and honest. You do not need to
agree with everything Flesher has to say to find the book moving and challenging' Michael
Gawenda former editor in chief The Age Melbourne 'This ability to empathise with the
suffering on both sides is a core value of Flescher's reconciliation work and the underpinning
to many of the options he outlines' Dr Anne Sarzin Jwire 'As challenging and as contemporary
as it is compassionate. In a world broken by war and polarisation Ittay offers peaceful
possibilities and nuanced perspectives' Rabbi Ralph Genende OAM author of Living in an
Upside-down World 'The Holy and the Broken breaks new ground. Yet what makes it truly singular
is its consistent humanity and its centring of ordinary Israelis and Palestinians' John Lyndon
executive director Alliance for Middle East Peace 'This account of the writer's devotion to
peacebuilding in our war-torn region is a shining testament to what can and should be done by
those who can imagine a future peace. It lights a candle in an age of darkness!' Sari Nusseibeh
author of Once Upon a Country: A Palestinian Life 'When you finish it you will not only know
more about what's happening between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea but you will
also know more about yourself' Maoz Inon Israeli peacemaker and social entrepreneur 'A
powerful testament to the possibilities of reconciliation and mutual empathy during conflict
what sets this book apart is its commitment to showcasing the experiences of the diverse
individuals involved - especially the integral yet frequently overlooked stories of women. By
highlighting the gender dynamics at play Flescher enriches our understanding of the conflict
and underscores the importance of supporting a world where more voices are heard and valued'
Sheila Katz CEO National Council of Jewish Women 'When I picked this book up I erroneously
believed I already "understood" much about the ongoing collective trauma of Palestinians and
Israelis. But this thoughtful and deeply compassionate book shattered that illusion. By the
time I put the book down I was not the same person' Miriam Anzovin creator of Daf Reactions
and Jewish Lore Reactions
