Nobel laureate J.M. Coetzee has decided not to participate in an upcoming literature festival in Israel. In a strong letter addressed to the organizers, the acclaimed author cited Israel’s “genocidal campaign” in Gaza as the reason for his refusal, stating that it will take a significant amount of time for Israel to regain its reputation.
The 86-year-old writer, who was born in apartheid-era South Africa and now resides in Australia, communicated his decision to the organizers of the Jerusalem International Writers Festival in November. His letter expressed a dramatic shift in his perspective, noting that he had previously considered himself a supporter of Israel, but the ongoing “campaign of annihilation in Gaza has changed all that.”
The article was subsequently updated on May 8, 2026, to include a response from Fermentto-Tzaisler, which was received after the initial publication.