350 cultural figures back Jewish author dropped from Spanish festival over Israel support

Over 350 writers and cultural figures signed a petition defending Jewish-Argentinian author Ariana Harwicz, who was disinvited from a literary festival in Granada, Spain, over her support for Israel. The festival organizers canceled her talk after complaints from university activists. The University of Granada distanced itself from the decision, defending open debate.

More than 350 writers and other cultural figures have signed a petition defending Jewish-Argentinian author Ariana Harwicz, who was disinvited from a literary festival in Spain over her support for Israel. Harwicz, longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker International Prize, was scheduled to speak at the Cultur Alh festival at the University of Granada on September 26. The festival organizers canceled her talk after university activists complained about her views. Harwicz vocally opposes cultural boycotts against Israeli writers and artists, which she describes as antisemitism. The petition, circulated by the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, calls on the festival to explain its decision and offer public redress. Signatories include Spanish philosopher Fernando Savater, former French prime minister Manuel Valls, and several prize-winning writers. The renowned Irish writer John Banville, who was set to headline the event, dropped out after Harwicz's cancellation. The University of Granada said in a statement that it did not endorse the decision, which it said was made solely by the festival's management, and defended the university as a space for open debate.