Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: PEN Vlaanderen calls for evacuation of Palestinian-Belgian writer in Gaza Strip
In an open letter, the writers' organisation PEN Vlaanderen calls on Federal Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib (MR) to use all diplomatic means to evacuate Belgian-Palestinian writer and journalist Fatena Al-Ghorra from the Gaza Strip.
"Al-Ghorra recently travelled to Gaza for the first time in 15 years to see her mother. A few days later, all hell broke loose," said PEN Vlaanderen. With this appeal, the organisation wants to urge the government to work towards a ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor. In this way, they say, Al-Ghorra, who is a member of PEN Vlaanderen, and dozens of other compatriots can be brought to safety.
Al-Ghorra was born in Palestine and fled to Belgium country from Hamas in 2009. She became a Belgian citizen in 2016 and has since published several books of poetry, including God's Deception and Take This Body. In 2012, she won the El Hizjra Literary Prize for Dutch-speaking writers of (partly) Arab background. "She is a very valued presence in our literary landscape," said Alicja Gescinska, president of PEN Vlaanderen.
Anyone who would like to support the appeal can sign the letter until Friday, 27 October at 10:00. PEN Vlaanderen will then send the letter to Minister Lahbib, who will travel to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
PEN Vlaanderen is an authors' association that promotes freedom of expression and supports persecuted writers. The organisation specifically stands up for writers, bloggers, poets, journalists and theatre makers who fled their country of origin because of what they wrote.
#FlandersNewsService |©Jack Guez / AFP
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