PEN America Faces Backlash and Boycott Over Response to Israel-Gaza Conflict

Authors withdraw from PEN literary awards, criticizing the organization's stance on the Israel-Hamas war and its impact on Palestinian writers.

Numerous authors, including prominent figures, have boycotted PEN America's literary awards, protesting the organization's handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
PEN America is accused of not sufficiently condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and not supporting Palestinian writers adequately.
Camille T. Dungy remains the only nominee not to withdraw from the Jean Stein Book Award, citing PEN’s mission against book bans as her reason for staying.
PEN President Jennifer Finney Boylan announces a review of the organization’s past decade of work in response to the criticism.
The organization has pledged $100,000 to support writers in Gaza amidst ongoing controversy.