Israeli and Palestinian Writers and Artists: The Toll of War
PEN America champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. In these profiles, we highlight writers, artists, and thinkers who have been… More
Guidance on Campus Free Speech, Amid Controversies and Protests Related to Israel and Gaza
Students, faculty, and staff can refer to PEN America’s Campus Free Speech Guide and Online Harassment Field Manual for further reading, resources, and practical advice. More
PEN America Deplores “Vicious Attack” Against Israeli Civilians
Political conflicts, even when they involve grave denials of human rights, can never justify nor be resolved through attacks on innocent civilians. PEN America calls on all parties to… More
Withholding Funds for Palestinian Students is Effort to Entrench a “Separate and Unequal” System Depriving Palestinians of Rights
The Israeli government’s proposed laws concerning Palestinian access to education come amid a broader right-wing legislative push, which has resulted in unprecedented protests throughout Israel this year. This push… More
Shireen Abu Akleh
Known as “the voice of Palestine,” Abu Akleh spent 25 years reporting on the Palestinian struggle for freedom, writing about life under Israeli occupation, and providing critical commentary on… More
Sentencing of Chair of The Freedom Theatre in Jenin, Palestine is a Serious Human Rights Violation
“The arrest and imprisonment without trial of Bilal Al-Saadi represents a serious violation of his human rights, while the growing crackdown on Palestian civil society raises grave concerns about… More
PEN America Responds to Israeli Defense Force Probe in Killing of Al Jazeera Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh: “Too Little, Too Late”
Liesl Gerntholtz, director of the PEN/Barbey Freedom To Write Center at PEN America, stated: “The IDF’s investigation into the tragic shooting of Shireen Abu Akleh comes far too late… More
PEN America Condemns Killing of Palestinian-American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Shot to Death While Reporting on the West Bank
"PEN America condemns the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh today while reporting from the West Bank. For a journalist with a vest that clearly designated her as… More
Ahmad Qatamesh
Septugenarian literary writer and scholar Ahmad Qatamesh has been in and out of prison for a decade for his dissident political opinions and his membership in political organizations considered… More
Imad Barghouthi
Palestinian astrophysicist and professor Barghouthi was arrested on June 16, 2020. On August 2, 2020, after being detained for more than two weeks without explanation, he was charged with… More
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