The statement was covered in mainstream media such as the Irish Times, the Irish Independent (Martina Devlin), and the Sunday Independent with a short but powerful article by Co-Chair of Irish PEN, Dr Liz McManus.
According to PEN International (02/06/2025) this has now been the deadliest war for writers since the second World War.
The Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann Statement on Gaza opens with the words of Fatima Hassouna, writer, photographer, and journalist killed in Gaza on 16 April 2025: ‘If I must die, I want a resonant death… a death that the whole world will hear’. It then goes on to say:
We, the undersigned writers of the island of Ireland, call for immediate action to bring an end to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Since 7 October 2023, at least 181 journalists, 120 academics, and 23 writers have been killed in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and Lebanon, making it the deadliest period for journalists (173 Palestinian, two Israeli, and six Lebanese; source CPJ updated on 28 May 2025; see also The Guardian) […]
[…] We stand in solidarity with Palestinian, Jewish, and Israeli people who are opposing the genocide perpetuated by the current Israeli government […]
Please take a few moments to read the full statement.
Also consider becoming a member of Irish PEN/ PEN na hÉireann. The aims of Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann are to promote friendly co-operation among writers in every country in the interests of literature, responsible freedom of expression and international goodwill.
Shauna Gilligan Writer 