Palestinian Photographer Misses World Press Photo Event Thanks to Trump Ban

Palestinian Photographer Misses World Press Photo Event Thanks to Trump Ban

A renowned photojournalist has spoken out after she was forced to cancel her planned attendance at the World Press Photo event in Amsterdam due to complications from Trump’s travel ban.

Eman Mohammed, a Palestinian photojournalist and TED Talk speaker, had been booked to jury the World Press Photo photojournalism event in Amsterdam, but had to pull out last minute after President Donald Trump issued the controversial executive order that places restrictions on travel for citizens of seven Middle Eastern countries. Mohammed is both a legal and permanent resident of the US and does not come from any of the seven countries listed in Trump’s order. However, according to the statement issued by World Press Photo, her lawyers have advised her that as a Palestinian, she should not travel for risk of being denied a return trip home.

The statement outlines that “[the issue of] the U.S. government’s executive order means she risks being unable to return to her family if she comes to Amsterdam." The decision follows much confusion over a grey area in regards to whether further countries with a large Muslim population are at risk from future bans.

Mohammed also spoke in depth about the situation with TIME LightBox, which you can read here.

[via TIME]

Jack Alexander's picture

A 28-year-old self-taught photographer, Jack Alexander specialises in intimate portraits with musicians, actors, and models.

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59 Comments
Previous comments

"Her lawyers have advised her"
so you're speculating that you won't get access to the states and then blame others with your decisions.

Lets get real, your post should be headlined, Palestinian Photographer Misses World Press Photo Event Thanks to " her lawyers have advised her that as a Palestinian, she should not travel for risk of being denied a return trip home".

^^^ This! I don't have a problem with the story being on Fstoppers, since it's a current event and photography related, but the headline is incredibly misleading. She missed the event thanks to an overly cautious lawyer.

Frankly, you have no idea what you're talking about. Even Professors of law don't know exactly how to interpret the executive order because it's so broadly written. Moreover, unless you're in Trump's inner circle, you have no idea to what people the ban is going to be extended to next, to what duration the existing ban is going to be extended to, and so forth. She could leave the country and at any moment be banned from returning, as thousands of others valid visa holders already have been.

Damon, America is under no obligation to allow *any* foreigners in the country. That's what it boils down to.

As for some people being inconvenienced, oh well. That's life. If they truly have any affection and allegiance towards America then they would understand that some people may be inconvenienced.

Why the hell are the comment sections on ANYTHING the touches on politics, race, gender, or rather anything controversial socially. Immediately flooded with youtubish troll comments? Ugh it so annoying! Dont like the article, dont read it, move on. I for one LIKE the take, as it does have a nice connection. There is plenty of this lens this or this shutter that. Why are you so offended by something slightly new?

Because it's fake news. Because it is pushing political ideology.

This whole "story" is nonsense. Why would a Palestinian, traveling from the West Bank to Amsterdam, be affected by a travel ban which does not include her country of origin or her destination?

This is a woman who is angry that her view of the world doesn't match the real world, a woman who has the frankly delusional viewpoint that any action America takes to protect itself from bad actors in Middle East is inherently anti-Muslim. A viewpoint that our less sane individuals on the left in America seem to share.

I've lived in the Middle East, and I'll tell you that the countries I've been in over there have no issues protecting themselves in any way they see fit.

And they have no problem banning Israeli citizens from 11 different countries in the Persian gulf region. Or for that matter, banning anyone from any country or nationality that's traveled through Israel. Have a stamp from Israel in your passport?

Get back on your plane and go home.

I have been an active member of this blog for a few months now and I don't think I ever saw so many comments on any of your articles.

:-)

The bad: It is not about photography but a political statement leaning to one side (shall I dare say Left).
The good: It is good to see more and more people read and involved about world's affairs. It's important.

Truth is, the discussion we have here is much more civil and rational then most articles dealing with those issues.