US publishing debates alleged discrimination against Jewish and Israeli authors
Writers and figures from the literary world say that since 7 October, works carrying a Jewish identity or an Israeli connection have been turned down by publishers. New Jewish-focused imprints are being founded in response to what they describe as exclusion in the industry.
RastinewsClaims that some Jewish and Israeli authors face discrimination at literary agencies and publishing houses in the United States and Britain have stirred debate in the publishing world.
In an article by journalist Pamela Paul published in The Wall Street Journal, drawing on accounts from writers, editors and literary agents, it was reported that publishing works associated with Jewish identity, Israel or Zionism has become harder, particularly since 7 October 2023.
According to the report, some literary agencies have stated openly on their websites that they do not accept submissions from "Zionist" authors or work of that kind. One agency's submission guidelines were said to include the words "no Nazis or Zionists."
A writer preparing a biography of a prominent Israeli figure was advised by their former agent to hold the work until the "anti-Zionist climate" in publishing eased, the report said.
The writer Meg Keene said her novel featuring Israeli characters was found "too Jewish" and found no buyer among the major publishers. Keene said one agent suggested she remove Jewish elements not essential to the plot and change the name of a character called "Yael" because it carried an Israeli connotation.
According to data collected by Keene, fiction book deals mentioning Jews, Judaism or Israel fell by 76 percent between 2023 and 2024. There is, however, no independent data covering the industry as a whole that establishes conclusively that works were rejected because of authors' identity or political views.
New imprints have also begun to appear in response to the exclusion said to be taking place in the sector. Among them are High Line Publishing Studio, Canary Publishing and Meg Keene Books, part of Wicked Son Press.
High Line Publishing Studio, founded by Neil Blair, known as J.K. Rowling's literary agent, said it aims to make room for authors and ideas that mainstream publishers keep their distance from. Its list includes a work by Amos Harel, military correspondent for Haaretz, examining Israel's strategic mistakes before and after 7 October.
Antidote Books, also part of High Line, says it will publish a range of views in history, politics, economics, international relations and culture. Distribution for both imprints will be handled by Hachette, one of the major publishing groups.
Canary Publishing describes itself as "a press open to Jewish and Zionist voices" and said it will consider works it says were rejected particularly in mainstream publishing. Meg Keene Books plans to publish four to six novels a year and to feature work by Jewish authors of differing political views.
On the other side of the debate, it is argued that anti-Zionism cannot be equated directly with antisemitism. Those who hold that criticism of the Israeli government's Gaza policies falls within political free expression say decisions not to publish cannot always be taken as proof of discrimination.
Jewish authors, in response, say that even when they criticise Israeli policies they are expected to take an explicit stand against Israel's existence, and that they are left outside publishing networks if they do not.
The heads of the new imprints say their ventures will not be structures closed to all but Jewish authors, and that they aim to include Israeli Arab writers as well as figures from various backgrounds working on Israel, Iran, the Middle East and Judaism.
Note: The article in question was published in The Wall Street Journal under Pamela Paul's byline, not in the New York Times.