Dr Izzeldin Abu Elaish
Dr Izzeldin Abu Elaish

Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Palestinian physician and internationally recognized peace and human rights activist devoted to advancing health and educational opportunities for women and girls in the Middle East. He is also known for using health as a vehicle for peace. Dr Abuelaish’s book, I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey—the story of his loss of his three daughters, Bessan, Mayar, and Aya, and their cousin Noor to Israeli shelling in 2009 and his subsequent transformation—has achieved critical acclaim. Published in 2010 and translated into 17 languages, the book has become an international best seller. It is a testament to his commitment to forgiveness as the solution to conflict, and the catalyst towards peace. He has received a number of national and international awards for his work, including The Public Peace Prize in 2014.

 

Source of Influence: Social Issues

Status: Featured in current year