Renen Raz in front of the “Apartheid Wall.” Uploaded by Ronnie Barkan on Facebook. Source. “I'm a little bit uncomfortable with the thought that these are my last hours on this planet, that I be put to sleep, and some of you my friends will say a final goodbye, for the last time.” These were the words Israeli activist Renen Raz wrote to friend and fellow activist Ronnie Barkan less than a year ago, on December 20, 2015. He was about to undergo a life-saving operation, and decided to reach out to friends and loved ones, in case things went wrong. Less than a year later, this week on October 24, Raz passed away at the age of 28. Raz had more to say to his friends last year, too: I know I didn't do much in my 27 years of living, but it was the best I could do, and looking back I am proud of myself. I hope that if it is really my Last Breath I wish it can do more, to people living under a constant fear, and fighting for a better life. For them and their community. For animals and humans as one. I am fascinated by the thought of writing when I know I am taking a risk […] that might be not the best one, but it [is] something [that] need[s] to be done, and I cannot wait. Sitting on a bed which is not my own. And thinking of leaving this world beyond is not a happy place to be in. I am still young, and can offer more to my few friends, and to all the activities in which I take part. If it's the struggle in Palestine, for equality, justice, BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions]. For my life as LGBT… I never was in love, and maybe only in the very last period of time. I felt part of something, a community, a group of friends, that love care for me, and we respect each other. […] But I feel strong inside of me, just as many other time in my life so far, I am strong because I push myself to be a better man. Raz's story began as a boy growing up in Kibbutz Dorot near the border with Gaza. He later became an anti-colonial and openly Queer activist. In an interview in 2014, Raz recalled how his upbringing in Dorot affected his politics: Le kibboutz était entouré de cactus, et il y avait des ruines aussi. Des ruines de l’ancien village palestinien qui était là, avant qu’Israël ne soit créé et qu’on expulse les Palestiniens. On ne parlait jamais de ça, des Palestiniens qui étaient là. Lorsque j’ai découvert pour la première fois ces ruines, on ne m’a pas répondu. J’ai donc cherché par mes propres moyens, et j’ai compris que nous occupions un pays, que l’endroit où je vis se situe sur des terres volées! The Kibbutz was surrounded by cactuses, and there were also ruins. Ruins of the ancient Palestinian village that was here, long before Israel was created and Palestinians were expelled. We never talked about that, about Palestinians being here before. When I discovered these ruins for the first time, my questions weren't answered. So I looked for answers on my own, and I understood that we were occupying a country, that the country I live in is built on stolen land! Raz was a refusenik, a term historically associated with Soviet Jews who were denied permission to emigrate to Israel but which is now associated with Israeli Jews refusing to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in protest against its role in the Israeli occupation. For example, in 2014 a group of 43 IDF soldiers wrote an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying they refuse to “serve” in the Occupied Territories. In 2002, 27 reserve pilots published a letter declaring their refusal to fly assassination sorties over Gaza after 14 civilians, including children, were killed. Although the practice is not new in Israel, it is uncommon. A member of “Boycott From Within,” an Israeli group supporting the Palestinian-led call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel, and “Anarchists Against the Wall,” Raz organized “apartheid tours” to raise awareness about the occupation. He once wrote an open letter to a theater company planning on performing in Israel, telling them: I'm writing to you because I'm compelled to act in solidarity with my Palestinian friends, who are living under Israeli occupation and apartheid. […] Remember my Palestinian friends who are living under Israeli military occupation will not be able to attend your show because they are not permitted to enter Israel! Please don't collaborate with oppression and racism. Please don't play for apartheid. Please choose justice for us all. Renen Raz at a protest in Israel-Palestine. Photo uploaded by Ronnie Barkan. Source. Raz also stood up for LGBTQ rights and was aware of the practices of pinkwashing by the Israeli government.