Sally Rooney, Percival Everett, Jhumpa Lahiri, Jonathan Lethem and other prominent authors are among the thousands who have signed a letter denouncing Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide and vowing to boycott all Israeli literary institutions in protest.
These authors have pledged not to allow their books to be translated for the Israeli market, a change for some who have previously had their works translated into Hebrew. They also commit to not cooperate with Israeli institutions that are complicit in violating Palestinian rights or have not recognized the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people under international law.
The boycott initiative was initiated by the Palestine Festival of Literature and has garnered significant support from authors across the literary world.
The list of signatories includes both Jewish and non-Jewish authors who have been vocal in their criticism of Israel’s policies. Some have previously faced backlash for their views, such as Sally Rooney and Viet Thanh Nguyen.
Notable authors who have signed the boycott pledge include John Cusack, Junot Diaz, Jia Tolentino, and Annie Ernaux, among others. The diverse group of signatories represents a unified stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
On the other side of the debate, a letter spearheaded by the pro-Israel group Creative Community For Peace has condemned author boycotts as “illiberal and dangerous,” emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diversity of opinions.
The issue has sparked significant debate within the literary community, with Jewish authors and organizations expressing concerns about growing antisemitism and the impact of boycotts on free speech.
Ultimately, the decision to boycott Israeli literary institutions remains a contentious issue, with authors on both sides of the debate advocating for their respective positions.
As the literary world grapples with these complex issues, the importance of open dialogue and mutual respect remains paramount.
Popular literature is sold in Hebrew translation in a bookstore in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, July 1, 2024. (Philissa Cramer)
An authors’ panel at an Albany book festival Saturday has been canceled after organizers said two panelists refused to share a stage with the “Zionist” moderator, author Elisa Albert, who is Jewish.
(Courtesy Elisa Albert)
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