© 2025 WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting
Member-Supported Public Media from Southern Illinois University
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A Palestinian man who became a novelist while in an Israeli prison is now free

By Daniel Estrin
Published November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM CST

Palestinian novelist Bassem Khandaqji won Arabic literature's top prize while in Israeli prison for a deadly Tel Aviv bombing. He was freed last month in the hostage-prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.

Copyright 2025 NPR
Daniel Estrin
Daniel Estrin is NPR's international correspondent in Jerusalem.
See stories by Daniel Estrin
Donate Today Promo
WSIU – Powered by You
As a WSIU donor, you don’t simply watch or listen to public media programs, you are a partner. By making a gift, you help WSIU produce, purchase, and broadcast programs you care about and enjoy – every day of the year.