Gaza Playwright Ali Abu Yasin Named Writer of Courage 2026

62-year-old Gaza playwright Ali Abu Yasin of al-Shati refugee camp has been named English PEN's Writer of Courage 2026. Nominated by 2026 PEN Pinter Prize winner Jacqueline Rose, he set aside plays after October 2023 to document life under Israeli bombardment, carrying hidden screenplays while displaced. He says his house was bombed.