‘War lives in me’: Gaza playwright Ali Abu Yasin wins English PEN award

What happened: Gaza playwright Ali Abu Yasin was named Writer of Courage 2026 by English PEN in London. He left Gaza weeks ago via an artist residency in France and attended the ceremony at the British Library. Key numbers: Abu Yasin is 62. He began writing plays as a teenager in al-Shati camp. Why it matters: English PEN said Gaza writers face among the world's most limited freedom of movement, affecting their freedom of expression. Nominator Jacqueline Rose, who won the 2026 PEN Pinter Prize, called his work a call for justice.

Gaza playwright Ali Abu Yasin was named Writer of Courage 2026 by English PEN in London. He left Gaza weeks ago via an artist residency in France and attended the ceremony at the British Library.

English PEN said Gaza writers face among the world's most limited freedom of movement, affecting their freedom of expression. Nominator Jacqueline Rose, who won the 2026 PEN Pinter Prize, called his work a call for justice.