In parts of the Middle East, communication with Israelis is often illegal and can carry severe penalties, including imprisonment or even death. Against this backdrop, the Abrahamic Movement, founded in 2019 by Tom Wegner, seeks to challenge entrenched barriers by fostering dialogue between Israelis and people across the Muslim world. The movement aims to build connections grounded in their shared Abrahamic heritage, uniting Jews, Muslims, and Christians beyond national and religious divisions.

The initiative gained significant momentum after October 7, 2023, when Islamist attacks resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, prompting Wegner to leverage his years of experience working in Israeli-Palestinian coordination roles. He emphasized that regional instability—highlighted by conflicts in Yemen, Iraq, and the massacre of the Yazidis—had long signaled the need for a new approach that transcends simplistic territorial solutions.

Wegner points to the European Union as a precedent, where national and religious identities were preserved while a collective European identity helped foster peace after centuries of conflict. Similarly, the Abrahamic Movement promotes a shared identity rooted in the common narrative of descent from Abraham, seeking to transform hostilities framed as external occupation into disputes among closely related communities. Wegner argues that resolving Middle Eastern conflicts requires expanding social “in-group” boundaries rather than relying solely on geopolitical agreements.

The movement also positions itself as an ideological counter to Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hezbollah, and similar organizations, which currently dominate the socio-political landscape in many Muslim-majority countries. Wegner contends these groups provide comprehensive social services and ideological frameworks that have made them highly effective in recruitment. He argues that offering an alternative “Abrahamic Islam” ideology, one faithful to Quranic teachings acknowledging the Jewish people’s historic ties to the land, could undermine radicalism and foster peaceful coexistence.

Wegner’s approach draws upon specific Quranic verses that speak to the settlement and legitimacy of the Children of Israel in the region, advocating for dialogue grounded in religious texts familiar to both Muslims and Jews. He criticizes efforts that rely on inflammatory critiques of Islam, asserting these only exacerbate tensions. Instead, he promotes engagement based on mutual recognition and shared heritage.

The movement has rapidly expanded, now boasting over 20 branches across Muslim-majority countries—including those where contact with Israelis is criminalized—operating solely through volunteers and without formal funding. Members interviewed expressed a willingness to face substantial risks to advocate for peace.

Khurram Ali Raza, chairman of the movement’s Pakistan branch, spoke openly despite potential dangers. Pakistani law does not explicitly ban contact with Israelis, but the country’s official stance denies recognition of Israel, and travel to Israel is prohibited on Pakistani passports. Raza reported having been detained for four months under suspicion of collaborating with Israeli intelligence due to his peace advocacy. He described prison conditions as harsh but remained committed to promoting coexistence, emphasizing that his loyalty was to a shared Abrahamic identity rather than any national affiliation.

In Iraq, official legislation passed in 2022 imposes harsh penalties—including life imprisonment or death—for normalization with Israel. Despite these risks, Sunni scholar Abu Musa Al-Iraqi advocated for peace, warning that extremism and ideological violence threaten the country’s stability. He described the conflict between Jews and Muslims as misrepresented for political gain and underscored Islam’s respect for Judaism and the potential for cooperation based on common religious ground. His views, however, have drawn criticism from Islamist groups, who accuse the Abrahamic Movement of advancing Israeli interests.

Members of the movement, except for Wegner himself, have not yet visited Israel. They continue to face legal restrictions and opposition from Islamist factions. While the movement’s vision remains aspirational with no assurance that personal outreach will translate into broader political change, its supporters endure personal sacrifices driven by a commitment to ending a conflict deeply rooted in the region’s history.