Palestinian author Huzama Habayeb has a smile on her face this morning. The Abu Dhabi-based writer took on the University of Texas Centre for Middle Eastern Studies and won.

Habayeb had been commissioned to write a story on women living in the region. but her delight at the commission soon turned to horror when she discovered that her work would run alongside that of two Israeli writers.

Fired up, Habayeb organised a boycott by other Arab writers, resulting in the proposed anthology of short stories being cancelled this week.

Habayeb’s actions are those of a resistance fighter — never giving an inch to Israel, which has illegally occupied her homeland.

But there’s also a bigger issue — one whereby academics the world over need to ensure that Israel is isolated for its immoral and illegal actions in occupying Palestine and repressing the Palestinian people.

The pen is mightier than the sword.