Ali Abu Yasin
ON THE RECORD · 14 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“I was near death four, five times. I saw people around me die. We lived by chance, and those who died, died by chance,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin described his near-death experiences during the war in Gaza.
“It’s how I was born, I’ve wanted to express myself using art since my childhood,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin told Al Jazeera about his desire to express himself through art since childhood.
“In Gaza, we have simple dreams. We want to live in peace and to live in freedom. We want the sky and the seas to be open,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin expressed the simple dreams of people in Gaza for peace and freedom.
“My son was trapped under rubble; my house was bombed. So, during those two years, I was trying just to provide some safety to my family. To protect them from famine. And to document what was happening, so the world can hear my voice before I die.”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin recounted his house being bombed and his efforts to protect his family and document events.
“We just want some freedom.”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin concluded his remarks about what people in Gaza want.
“I didn’t actually leave the war. The war lives in me, Gaza lives in me,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin spoke after leaving Gaza for an artist residency programme in France.
“This prize is great not only for me, but for Gaza, Palestine, and all the Palestinian people,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said 2026-10-08 · reported 2026-10-08
Ali Abu Yasin spoke to Al Jazeera after being named Writer of Courage 2026 by English PEN.
“There was no theatre; it was impossible to have a theatre because Gaza was being destroyed,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-08
Abu Yasin explained why theatre was impossible during the destruction of Gaza.
“It requires theatre makers, writers and directors, and even if the halls are destroyed, we can perform in the street.”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Abu Yasin says theatre can still be performed in the street even if halls are destroyed.
“The difficulty was in everything; the work literally emerged from under the rubble, its set came from tents, and the actors were still dusting gunpowder off their bodies.”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Abu Yasin describes how the production was built from salvaged materials amid destruction.
“This performance was a message to the occupation that destroyed all of Gaza’s theatres: Theatre cannot be destroyed,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Abu Yasin frames the performance as defiance against the destruction of Gaza's theatres during the tour.
“When you ask me about difficulties, it seems the better question is: What was available or normal?”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Abu Yasin responds to a question about the difficulties of producing theatre in wartime Gaza.
“But when we step onto the theatre stage, we feel more alive.”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Abu Yasin describes how performing gives the actors a sense of vitality amid the war.
“We are ordinary humans, running after clean water, electricity, food trucks and a livelihood so we can survive amidst skyrocketing prices,”
Ali Abu Yasin · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-19
Abu Yasin describes the daily survival struggles the actors face alongside their theatrical work.