Nearly 300 prominent writers and intellectuals from around the world have signed an open letter condemning Israel for committing genocide in Gaza. The letter demands an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinian prisoners.
The letter features signatures from influential figures including Elif Shafak, Zadie Smith, Ian McEwan, Brian Eno, William Dalrymple, and many others. It opens with a poem by Heba Abu Nada, a Palestinian poet who was killed during an Israeli airstrike in October 2023.
The signatories assert that the use of the term “genocide” is no longer a matter of debate among legal experts and human rights organizations, citing clear statements from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Human Rights Council.
The letter calls for international accountability and sanctions against Israel if it continues to ignore ceasefire appeals. It stresses that silence in the face of such crimes is an ethical failure, declaring:
“Genocide is not just a slogan it carries legal, political, and moral obligations. With each day we remain silent, our values erode.”
Alongside this statement, more than 300 French writers and thousands of global artists and authors have signed similar appeals. Notably, over 7,000 writers have endorsed a call for the cultural boycott of Israel, including many Nobel, Booker, and Pulitzer Prize laureates.
Some took additional action by withdrawing from literary awards, while others criticized art institutions for censoring pro-Palestinian content, such as the removal of Gaza-related artworks from a youth art exhibition by the Royal Academy of Arts in the UK.
✍️ Meraj Company Statement:
At Meraj, we believe that literature and culture serve as powerful tools of resistance and moral clarity. We stand in solidarity with all voices calling for justice, and we honor the courage of writers who use their words to defend humanity and human rights.