Books
TheBeautiful World, Where Are Youauthor says she cannot work Modan unless it publicly distance[s] itself from apartheid.
Acclaimed writerSally Rooneys third novelBeautiful World, Where Are Yousaw record-breaking success when it hit shelves in September this year, with more than 40,000 copies sold in its first week.
However, following its international release, the Irish writer has defended her decision toturn down an offer from an Israeli publication houseto translate her latest novel to Hebrew as she wants to show support and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Rooney, 30, released a statement on Oct. 12, per theGuardian, stating that while she was very proud that her previous hit novels,Normal PeopleandConversations With Friends, were translated to Hebrew, she had chosen not to sell theBeautiful World, Where Are Youtranslation rights to an Israeli-based publishing house.
Rooney went on to explain that she is supporting a Palestinian-led movement,Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions(BDS), which, per its website, works to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law.
Rooney described the movement as an anti-racist and nonviolent grassroots campaign created in response to the apartheid system and other grave human rights violations.
On Tuesday, Oct. 12, an Israeli newspaper reported that Israeli publishers Modan who translated Rooneys previous books approached Rooneys agent in an attempt to sign another translation deal, however, the agent announced that Rooney supports the cultural boycott movement on Israel and therefore does not approve translation into Hebrew.
InRooneys lengthy statement, she further clarified her stance, stressing that while not everyone will agree with her decision shesimply do not feel it would be right under the present circumstancesto 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.
The writer, who also signedA Letter Against Apartheidin May, added that the Hebrew-language translation rights toBeautiful World, Where Are Youare still available, and would be pleased and proud to sell the rights to the book if compliant with the BDS movements institutional boycott guidelines.
In the meantime, I would like to express once again my solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, justice and equality, Rooney added.
Rooneys decision has been met with criticism.Gitit Levy-Paz, a fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, wrote a response viaForward,stating that the writers decision surprised and saddened them, adding that the very essence of literature, its power to bring a sense of coherence and order to the world is negated by Rooneys choice to exclude a group of readers because of their national identity.
