While insisting she'd be honored if Israeli fans could enjoy 'Beautiful World, Where Are You', the Irish writer states she feels obligated to stand with fellow supporters of the Palestinian-led BDS Movement.
- Oct 13, 2021
AceShowbiz - "Normal People" author Sally Rooney is standing firm behind her decision not to allow her new book to be translated into Hebrew as she shows her support for a Palestinian-led cultural boycott.
The Irish writer has retained translation rights in Israel for her third novel, "Beautiful World, Where Are You", which was released last month (September 2021).
Rooney's first two books, "Conversations with Friends" and "Normal People", were both translated into Hebrew and the writer insists she'd be honored if Israeli fans could enjoy her latest work, but the author feels obligated to stand with fellow supporters of the Palestinian-led BDS Movement (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions), who have refused to perform or allow their work to be presented or published there.
"I would like to thank everyone involved in the publication of those books for supporting my work," Sally notes in a statement released on Tuesday, October 12. "Likewise, it would be an honor for me to have my latest novel translated into Hebrew and available to Hebrew-language readers. But for the moment, I have chosen not to sell these translation rights to an Israeli-based publishing house."
She explained the Hebrew-language translation rights to "Beautiful World, Where Are You" remain unsold because she cannot "accept a new contract with an Israeli company that does not publicly distance itself from apartheid and support the UN-stipulated rights of the Palestinian people..."
She cited a report by officials at international campaign group Human Rights Watch, who have accused Israel's leaders of "Apartheid and Persecution" - claims local representatives have slammed as "preposterous and false."
Meanwhile, bosses at The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel insist Sally's stance has been "warmly welcomed" by Palestinians.
Other writers and musicians who are supporting the cultural boycott include "The Color Purple" author Alice Walker, former Pink Floyd star Roger Waters, Brian Eno, and filmmakers Mike Leigh and Ken Loach.
