PEN International slammed the conviction of Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour, who was prosecuted by Israeli authorities for three social media posts, including a poem.
In #NYC an evening of words in solidarity with Palestinian poet #DareenTatour begins with the reading of a letter from Dareen ?❤? pic.twitter.com/gNL0KzlkMA
— Adalah-NY (@AdalahNY) May 4, 2018
In a statement issued yesterday, PEN – a global association of writers with a focus on freedom of expression – said it,
“strongly condemns the decision of the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court to convict Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour of ‘support for a terrorist organization’ and ‘incitement to violence’.”
More than 150 American literary figures have called for Palestinian poet Dareen Tatour to be freed pic.twitter.com/HvChPg1NhQ
— TRT World (@trtworld) May 4, 2018
PEN noted that,
“the conviction is mainly related to a YouTube video in which she recites one of her poems entitled, ‘Qawim ya sha’abi, qawimhum’ ‘Resist, My People, Resist Them’.”
Dareen Tatour did not pose a threat to anyone, yet the authorities decided to keep her under house arrest for 2.5 years. 2.5 years because she published a poem on Facebook. When was the last time an Israeli Jew was kept in custody for 2.5 years for something he/she wrote?
— Edo Konrad (@edokonrad) May 3, 2018
PEN International President Jennifer Clement, who met Dareen Tatour at her home in Nazareth last year, said:
“Dareen Tatour has been convicted for doing what writers do every day – we use our words to peacefully challenge injustice.”
She added:
“I was incredibly honored to meet Dareen at her home last year and PEN will continue to call for justice in this case.”
"RESIST my people, resist them!"#DareenTatour has a pen stronger than the Israeli occupation & its heavily equipped soldiers.
I read your poems on demonstrations Dareen & I will again on #NakbaDay – They can jail your body, but NOT your words!#Palestine #FreeDareen ✌ pic.twitter.com/4ynyH0v8nR
— Bea (@HerNameIs_Bea) May 5, 2018
According to PEN, which “has been campaigning for her immediate release and for the charges against her to be dropped,” Tatour “was targeted [by the Israeli authorities] for her poetry and peaceful activism”. A sentencing hearing will take place on May 31.
Social media activists re-posted some poetry written by Tatour, including poems for which she was convicted.
Palestinian Poet Dareen Tatour was convicted by Israel today for writing a poem. Read here the poem the mighty state of Israel couldn't handle:
In Jerusalem, I dressed my wounds and breathed my sorrows
And carried the soul in my palm
For an Arab Palestine… pic.twitter.com/88Hl7wczxf
— (((YousefMunayyer))) (@YousefMunayyer) May 3, 2018
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
