Spanish Festival Cancels Jewish Author Over Anti-Boycott Stance

A literary festival in Granada, Spain, canceled the participation of Argentine-Jewish author Ariana Harwicz due to her public opposition to the cultural boycott of Israel. Harwicz stated that her invitation was rescinded because of her stance against boycotting Israel, a position she has defended and previously applied to discussions about boycotting Russian artists following the war in Ukraine.

The festival organizers confirmed that the decision was made following complaints from pro-Palestinian groups, specifically the "University Network for Palestine" in Granada and one of the participating clubs. The author's name was removed from the festival's artistic program just days before its opening.

Seven participating authors supported the decision to exclude Harwicz, issuing a joint statement claiming her views on Israel and Palestine, not her literary work, were the issue. They alleged Harwicz denied genocide in Gaza and attacked groups condemning Israeli actions. The statement also cited her calling the cultural boycott an "anti-Semitic attack" and labeling intellectual Judith Butler a "Nazi collaborator."

Despite the exclusion, the festival's main organizer, the University of Granada, expressed its opposition to the move. The university emphasized its role as an open space for critical thinking and diverse viewpoints, even controversial ones. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain and the Argentine Forum Against Antisemitism also condemned the cancellation, citing violations of free speech and cultural pluralism, and warned against using cultural discourse for political exclusion.