Irish novelist Sally Rooney is set to publish the Hebrew translation of her new novel, 'Intermezzo', through November Books. This decision comes after Rooney reportedly rejected an earlier translation offer from a publisher that she identified as having connections to the Israeli military, aligning with her long-standing support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Rooney has previously voiced strong opinions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating that she views the Israeli cultural sector as 'complicit in apartheid'. This stance has guided her publishing choices, particularly concerning translations into Hebrew. Her previous novel, 'Beautiful World, Where Are You', did not receive a Hebrew translation initially after she declined an offer from a publisher she deemed non-compliant with BDS principles.
The BDS movement is a Palestinian-led initiative promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel. Its aim is to pressure Israel to comply with international law. Rooney's alignment with the movement has drawn both support and criticism globally, including within the UK literary community, where debates around artistic freedom and political alignment are frequent.
The decision to proceed with November Books for 'Intermezzo' signifies Rooney's continued commitment to these principles. November Books is described as a publisher that meets the criteria set by the BDS movement, allowing Rooney's work to reach Hebrew-speaking audiences while adhering to her ethical guidelines.
This development highlights the ongoing intersection of politics and literature, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For UK readers, it underscores the influence that authors' political stances can have on the accessibility and distribution of their work across international markets and languages.