In a resounding statement of solidarity, more than 1,000 prominent figures from the literary and entertainment industries signed an open letter opposing the rise of discriminatory cultural boycotts targeting Jewish and Israeli authors and institutions. Spearheaded by Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), the open letter came in response to efforts to silence the Jewish and Israeli literary community.
Among the notable signatories are acclaimed Booker Prize-winning author Howard Jacobson, renowned historian Simon Sebag Montefiore, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Lee Child, and celebrated actress Mayim Bialik. Together, they took a stand against the harassment of Jewish and Israeli creatives, affirming the importance of art as a bridge rather than a battleground.
Howard Jacobson encapsulated the sentiment of the letter, stating, “Art is the antithesis to a political party. It is a meeting place, not an echo chamber.” This powerful message underscores the belief that literature and art should foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and connection—not division.
The campaign was covered around the world – featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, The Jerusalem Post, The Wrap, The Telegraph and dozens of other media outlets. Creative Community for Peace’s successful galvanization of the literary community is clear.
Escalating Hostility Toward Jewish and Israeli Creatives
Over the past year and a half, there have been continued efforts to boycott, harass, and scapegoat Jewish and Israeli authors and literary institutions. These efforts include the cancellation of bookstore appearances, the rejection of book advertisements, and coordinated online harassment campaigns. Activists have even published lists labeling certain writers as “Zionist,” an act eerily reminiscent of historical attempts to isolate and silence Jewish voices.
Mayim Bialik decried these actions, emphasizing, “Harassing authors and boycotting people based solely on their identity is disturbing and polarizing in ways that cannot be dismissed or minimized.” She called for meaningful, open discourse over censorship and exclusion, urging everyone to resist tactics that exacerbate hostility rather than foster understanding.
Literature as a Tool for Unity and Change
The open letter highlights the vital role that literature plays in building bridges, broadening perspectives, and igniting positive change. It states, “Writers, authors, and books bring people together, transcend boundaries, broaden awareness, and open dialogue.”
The signatories warn that cultural boycotts, far from advancing peace, deepen societal divisions and amplify historical prejudices. Philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy labeled these efforts as “pure antisemitism,” rooted in longstanding biases designed to suppress Jewish voices.
A Call to Action
The letter concludes with a rallying cry for others in the literary and entertainment industries to join the fight against unjust boycotts. By standing with Jewish and Israeli authors, publishers, and institutions, industry leaders can uphold the principles of free expression and creative freedom.
Creative Community for Peace Executive Director Ari Ingel stressed the broader implications of these boycotts, stating, “These are not just attacks on Israeli authors; they are part of a coordinated campaign targeting anyone who refuses to condemn Israel. These actions threaten the very values of free expression that underpin our creative industries.”
The letter highlights the unique role that writers and books play in society, “We believe that writers, authors, and books — along with the festivals that showcase them — bring people together, transcend boundaries, broaden awareness, open dialogue, and can affect positive change.” It continues, “We believe that anyone who works to subvert this spirit merely adds yet another roadblock to freedom, justice, equality, and peace that we all desperately desire.”
Join Us
To add your name to the open letter and support the fight against cultural boycotts, click here.