Following a letter calling for dialogue with Israel, the Harry Potter author responds to readers’ questions to explain why she is not supporting the cultural boycott

JK Rowling has spoken out further about her decision not to join a cultural boycott of Israel, saying that while she has “deplored” most of the actions of Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, she does not believe a decision by artists to refrain from cultural relations with the country will force him from power.

The bestselling novelist also spoke of how “the sharing of art and literature across borders constitutes an immense power for good in this world”, citing the “heart-splitting poetry of Mahmoud Darwish”, the late and widely acclaimed Palestinian poet who “seared … the true human cost of the Palestinian conflict … upon my consciousness”.

The Palestinian poet who inspired JK Rowling’s stance on Israel Read more

Rowling was one of more than 150 signatories to a letter published in the Guardian last week, along with names including Melvyn Bragg, Hilary Mantel and Simon Schama. The letter was written in response to a February missive signed by around 700 artists calling for a cultural boycott of Israel. The letter signed by Rowling cites its signatories’ belief that “cultural boycotts singling out Israel are divisive and discriminatory, and will not further peace”, and that “cultural engagement builds bridges, nurtures freedom and positive movement for change”.

The letter also announces the launch of Culture for Coexistence, a new network which intends to “inform and encourage dialogue about Israel and the Palestinians in the wider cultural and creative community”.

Rowling said yesterday that “a number of readers” had asked for more information about why she signed the letter. She wrote on TwitLonger: “I have deplored most of Mr Netanyahu’s actions in office. However, I do not believe that a cultural boycott will force Mr Netanyahu from power, nor have I ever heard of a cultural boycott ending a bloody and prolonged conflict.

“If any effects are felt from the proposed boycott, it will be by ordinary Israelis, many of whom did not vote for Mr Netanyahu. Those Israelis will be right to ask why cultural boycotts are not also being proposed against – to take random examples – North Korea and Zimbabwe, whose leaders are not generally considered paragons by the international community.”

The Harry Potter author went on to write about her belief that “the sharing of art and literature across borders constitutes an immense power for good in this world”. She continued: “In its highest incarnation, as exemplified by Darwish, art civilises, challenges and reminds us of our common humanity. At a time when the stigmatisation of religions and ethnicities seems to be on the rise, I believe strongly that cultural dialogue and collaboration is more important than ever before and that cultural boycotts are divisive, discriminatory and counterproductive.”

Challenged on Twitter by one Palestinian this morning, she responded: “Believing in Palestinian rights & deploring occupation, I fear cultural boycott targets those most critical of govt inside Israel & those views should be heard.”

Extracts from the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish

Identity Card

Write down!

I am an Arab

And my identity card number is fifty thousand

I have eight children

And the ninth will come after a summer

Will you be angry?

Listen to the full poem

Under Seige

Here on the slopes of hills, facing the dusk and the cannon of time

Close to the gardens of broken shadows,

We do what prisoners do,

And what the jobless do:

We cultivate hope.

***

A country preparing for dawn. We grow less intelligent

For we closely watch the hour of victory:

No night in our night lit up by the shelling

Our enemies are watchful and light the light for us

In the darkness of cellars.



***

Here there is no “I”.

Here Adam remembers the dust of his clay.

Listen to the full poem