Not enough words have been written nor airtime been given to, at least 12 human rights activists who lost their lives defending others.
The world lost American activist Rachel Corrie on March 16 2003 and British Peace activist Tom Hurndall on 13 January 2004.
Six years later on the Mavi Marmara (Gaza Flotilla), nine activists from the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH), were killed when IDF raided their ship on 31 May 2010.
The names are: Cengiz Akyüz, Ali Haydar Bengi, İbrahim Bilgen, Furkan Doğan, Cevdet Kılıçlar, Cengiz Songür, Çetin Topçuoğlu, Fahri Yaldız, Necdet Yıldırım & Ugur Süleyman Söylemez (who died 4 years later after falling into a coma).
In the section below, we feature a series of independent articles with hyperlinks that provide an overview of what they stood for.
While the struggle continues, these brave souls will forever be remembered.
Rachel Corrie
Rachel Corrie was killed in Gaza by the IDF. 20 years on, her parents are still fighting for justice
Peace activist Rachel Corrie, killed by Israel, remembered 20 years on
As Israel Keeps Killing Americans, U.S. Officials Give them a Pass
23-year-old peace activist Rachel Corrie is crushed to death by Israeli bulldozer
Rachel Corrie: Justice for Palestinians is only way forward, say US activist’s parents
US envoy says Israel’s inquiry into Rachel Corrie’s death wasn’t credible — Haaretz
Rachel Corrie, an Israeli bulldozer, and our shared global fate
Israeli soldiers have depraved “fun” making “Rachel Corrie pancakes”
Alan Rickman gave the greatest gift to my late daughter, Rachel Corrie
Tom Hurndall
Tom Hurndall: a remarkable man’s photographs of the Middle East
A life brutally cut short: new book collects Tom Hurndall’s photos of Palestine
IDF Soldier Who Shot British Peace Activist to Be Released From Jail
Israeli sniper who shot British peace activist released early from prison amid protests
Cengiz Akyüz, Ali Haydar Bengi, İbrahim Bilgen, Furkan Doğan, Cevdet Kılıçlar, Cengiz Songür, Çetin Topçuoğlu, Fahri Yaldız, Necdet Yıldırım & Ugur Süleyman Söylemez (who died 4 years later after falling into a coma)
Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla sparks international outrage
A decade has passed, but the Mavi Marmara killings I saw still shape me
