New York – PEN America announced that Pulitzer‑winning Iraq War veteran and National Book Award author Phil Klay will serve as its new president. The organization, a leading advocate for free expression, is navigating deep internal disagreements sparked by the ongoing Israel‑Hamas conflict.
Leadership change follows recent turmoil
Klay succeeds Dinaw Mengestu, who stepped down in July after a PEN‑commissioned report highlighted the “widening cultural isolation” experienced by dozens of Jewish and Israeli writers since the war began. Mengestu, who led the group for less than a year, said on Instagram that the report underscored a persistent bias against Palestinians and called into question PEN’s ability to act impartially.
“I argued that the organization would defend free expression equitably and equally,” Mengestu wrote. “This report makes clear that will not happen.”
Past controversies and organizational shifts
Two years ago, PEN faced criticism for what many writers saw as a slow response to the deaths of Palestinian journalists and authors. The backlash led to the cancellation of its annual awards ceremony and the “World Voices” festival after participants withdrew. Former CEO Suzanne Nossel has also left, with co‑CEOs Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf and Summer Lopez now steering day‑to‑day operations.
Klay’s background and stance
Klay, whose debut collection Redeployment won the 2014 National Book Award, brings both literary credentials and military experience to the role. While he supports the PEN study documenting the experiences of Israeli and Jewish writers, he has also condemned Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the violence as “unchecked, indiscriminate and targeting innocent civilians.” In August, he echoed a New York Times report on X (formerly Twitter) with those words.
In March 2024, Klay authored an Atlantic piece titled “U.S. Support for Israel’s War Has Become Indefensible,” further signaling his willingness to critique U.S. policy while defending free expression.
Vision for PEN America
In a statement released by PEN, Klay expressed a “broad faith in cultural exchange, in sustained efforts to understand other people, other cultures, and other ideas, including uncomfortable ones, and to the creation of a more open and egalitarian public square.” He emphasized that the organization must remain a forum where all voices, even those that provoke disagreement, can be heard.
As PEN America moves forward under Klay’s leadership, the organization faces the challenge of balancing its commitment to free expression with the deeply polarized reactions to the Israel‑Hamas war. Observers will watch closely to see whether the new president can bridge the divide and restore confidence among its diverse membership.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
