Palestinian Authority Bans Novel for ‘Threatening Morality and Public Decency’ · Global Voices
Cover of ‘Crime in Ramallah’ by <PERSON>. Source: <PERSON>
On Monday February 6, 2017, the Palestinian Authority's (PA) attorney general, <PERSON> , banned a novel written by Palestinian novelist <PERSON> for “violating public morals and decency“.
The crime novel, “A Crime in Ramallah” (2016), was banned following an investigation by the office of the Palestinian Public Prosecution. In a statement from the attorney general's office , the ban was issued on the grounds that the novel contains text and terms that violate “public modesty, morals and decency” which would harm citizens, particularly minors and children. The statement adds that the novel breaches international treaties and a number of Palestinian laws, including the Press and Publications Law , the Penal Code , and the Palestinian Child Law .
<PERSON> confirmed in a Facebook status update that all copies of his novel have been pulled from bookstores, libraries and other selling points in the West Bank, and that he, the publisher, and the distributor have all been summoned for investigation over whether or not they have obtained the required permissions and licenses.
What is important here, dear friends, I am expressing my utmost concern, astonishment and shock at this decision and all its consequences of investigation and confiscation. I'm surprised and worried about the status of freedom of creativity and expression, publishing, and writing, and I am really shocked by what happened and the way it happened!
I believe, and this for all friends working in the cultural field, we are facing an unprecedented challenge, and a clear position is needed from everyone. I am sure we have, in Palestine, surpassed such case. No one will accept threatening what was achieved of literature and culture in Palestine, through harassment and confiscation.
I hope it will not become worse. Quite frankly, I am very concerned.
While the attorney general affirms that this decision doesn't violate freedom of speech, this is the first incident of its kind where a book is being investigated or banned in Palestine.
The Palestinian cultural magazine, Fus7a, reported that the ban follows an earlier controversy in the Palestinian city of Nablus, north of the West Bank, where a discussion event of the novel — which was scheduled to take place at the municipality's library — was cancelled by the city's mayor, <PERSON>.
Palestinian activists and writers have expressed their anger on social media over the banning of the novel. While some were sharing Portable Document Format (PDF) links for the novel, others were sarcastically thanking the PA for giving the book free publicity.
Famous Palestinian writer and poet <PERSON> said:
Status of <PERSON>. 467
Source: Facebook
The Palestinian Authority, which has banned the books of <PERSON> years ago, is banning today a novel called ‘A Crime in Ramallah’ and the Attorney General is summoning its author, publisher and distributor for investigation. Sign on the statement below. I am not defending the book as I haven't got it yet. But I am condemning confiscating books and guarding people's minds.
<PERSON>, a Palestinian activist from Nazareth, tweeted:
احا.. مش منقلكم صار عنا نظام عربي وسخ. هينا غرنا من مصر وصرنا نجرّم رواية.
هنا #محاكمة_الخيال_فرع_فلسطينhttps://t.co/HO3tuGFt6R …
— Abir Kopty (@AbirKopty) 6 février 2017
Damn, didn't we say that we have now a nasty Arab regime. We became jealous of Egypt and now we are banning a novel. Here #the_trial_of_imagination_Palestine_branch
Palestinian journalist and activist <PERSON> tweeted:
لا تملك أية جهة قانونية حق فحص أخلاقية هذا النص أو ذاك. هي ليست قيّمة على الأخلاق ولا مفوّضة عليها. 990