Writers decline recognition from PEN America in protest over its stance on Israel-Hamas war

As PEN America begins its annual spring tradition of high-profile events, the organization faces criticisms from numerous writers of Jewish descent working in Hollywood and unhappy with its stance which normalizes genocide (and somehow aligns with America's new stance aiming to stop Israel in its defence against Hamas on humanitarian grounds) on the war in Gaza. To drive this home, several authors have turned down awards and award nominations from PEN America.

This week, PEN announced its long lists in categories ranging from the $75,000 Jean Stein Award for best book to the $10,000 PEN/Hemingway award for first novel. Authors who have asked for their names to be withdrawn include Jean Stein nominee Camonghne Felix, poetry finalist Eugenia Leigh and short story nominee Ghassan Zeineddine.

The awards are scheduled to be handed out during an April 29 ceremony in Manhattan, hosted by writer-comedian Jena Friedman. A PEN spokesperson said that nine out of 60 nominated authors asked for their names to be withdrawn. PEN also confirmed that Esther Allen had declined the PEN/Ralph Manheim Award for translation and added that it would soon announce a new winner.

However, Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, who oversees PEN's literary programming said the organisation would respect their decision and would celebrate those who pulled out in other ways.