JK Rowling is facing backlash on social media after signing a letter in The Guardian newspaper advocating cultural bridges in lieu of boycotts in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The Harry Potter author was among 150+ signatories from the artistic community in the UK who rejected the idea of cultural boycotts of Israel, calling them “divisive and discriminatory." The letter expresses a desire to “inform and encourage dialogue” in the wider cultural and creative community. Cultural engagement is means toward freedom and positive change, it says, and thus should not be boycotted.
Another letter published by The Guardian in February announced 700 artists would be professionally boycotting Israel, vowing not to “play music, accept awards, attend exhibitions, festivals or conferences, run masterclasses or workshops” until Israel respects international law.
The letter Rowling signed last week directly challenges this boycott, saying signatories “do not believe cultural boycotts are acceptable or that the letter [The Guardian] published accurately represents opinion in the cultural world in the UK."
Now she's being accused of aligning herself with controversial figures and fellow signatories like British parliamentary member Eric Pickles, chairman of the Conservative Friends of Israel. And more backlash keeps piling on.
Take a look below, via Twitter:
@AlwaysJKRowling @jk_rowling No @HarryPotterFilm for kids killed by #Israel, whose crimes #JKRowling supports. #BDS pic.twitter.com/JTlrY4DNvi
— Raimo Kangasniemi (@rk70534) October 25, 2015I was never a #HarryPotter fan, anyway, #JKRowling. #BDS #bdsmovement #GazaUnderAttack #Palestine
— R F Carp (@IM_A_Carp) October 24, 2015.@jk_rowling it's hard to #dialogue with those who's premiss is that you're a moving target https://t.co/3R4ecFfrTB #JKRowling #BDS
— Tali (@TaliShapiro) October 24, 2015#JKRowling signs up for the Dementors? I'm a little shocked. https://t.co/WvaXiB6YzX
— Liam Greenslade (@liamgreenslade) October 25, 2015By Kane Hippisley-Gatherum
