A former Hamas hostage has criticized the Pulitzer Prize Committee for honoring Gaza poets, suggesting that this undermines the experiences of those held captive and raises troubling questions about the tragic deaths of the Vivas family at the hands of a terrorist group.
Emily Damali, a British-Israeli citizen, expressed her disbelief at the committee’s decision to give Masab Abu Toha the Pulitzer for an essay on the Gaza War, especially after she had shared her painful experience during 471 days in Hamas captivity.
In a post on X, she remarked, “You profess to uphold truth, democracy, and journalism that safeguards human dignity. Yet, you opted to overlook the truth, erase victims, and elevate voices that distort the memories of those killed.”
Damali described Abu Toha as “not a courageous writer” but rather akin to modern Holocaust deniers, asserting that by honoring him, the committee has aligned itself with denial.
Following his recent award, Abu Toha has reportedly questioned on social media whether Damali and other female Israeli Defense Force soldiers could genuinely be considered hostages after their supposed luring on October 7, 2023.
