Authors pledge boycott of Israeli cultural institutions for Palestinian rights

In October 2024, the Palestine Festival of Literature organized a significant movement where over 1,000 writers and publishing professionals pledged to boycott Israeli cultural institutions perceived as complicit in the oppression of Palestinians. This boycott targets institutions that have either remained silent on the issue or actively supported discriminatory practices against Palestinian peoples. Among the signatories are acclaimed authors like Sally Rooney and Arundhati Roy, who are known for their advocacy of Palestinian rights. The authors believe that engagement with Israeli cultural institutions without scrutinizing their relationship with apartheid and displacement is morally untenable. The pledge notably references the historical context of similar cultural boycotts against apartheid in South Africa, illustrating that these professionals see their stand as part of a broader tradition of ethical resistance within the arts. The letter articulates the severe humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict, mentioning that since October, the Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 43,000 Palestinians in Gaza. The authors argue that cultural institutions have historically played a role in masking injustices, framing their call to action as both a personal and collective moral responsibility. The campaign has drawn responses from organizations like UK Lawyers for Israel, who argue that the boycott is discriminatory. Nevertheless, the festival’s director maintains that the letter exposes the lack of moral standing among supporters of Israel, further emphasizing the urgency of the cultural workers’ pledge.