{
  "id": 8138261,
  "title": "Prize-winning author Phil Klay takes over at PEN America amid Israel-Hamas war rifts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/prize-winning-author-phil-klay-takes-over-at-pen-america-amid-israel",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T01:04:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/2026/09/17/prize-winning-author-phil-klay-takes-over-at-pen-america-amid-israel-hamas-war-rifts"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NEW YORK (AP) — Author Phil Klay has been appointed as the new president of PEN America, leading the literary and free expression organization during ongoing conflicts stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. Klay, a decorated Iraq War veteran and National Book Award winner, replaces Dinaw Mengestu, who resigned in July due to a report highlighting the growing cultural isolation faced by Jewish and Israeli writers.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Phil Klay appointed as PEN America's new president",
    "Klay, Iraq War veteran and National Book Award winner",
    "Replaces Dinaw Mengestu amid Israel-Hamas war rifts"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Phil Klay's appointment as PEN America's president signals a shift in the organization's leadership amid cultural divisions and free expression challenges sparked by the Israel-Hamas war.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}