Harry Potter Author J.K. Rowling Defends Anti-BDS Stance
by JNS.org
JNS.org – The author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, took to social media on Monday to defend her stance against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement after receiving criticism from some fans.
Last week, Rowling was among dozens of U.K. artists who signed a letter published in The Guardian protesting the idea of culturally boycotting Israel and expressing support for Culture for Coexistence, an independent British network committed to informing and encouraging dialogue about the Jewish state in the cultural community.
Rowling said that a “number of readers” have asked for more information as to why she signed the letter. Rowling wrote on her Twitter account that while she opposes the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she does not “believe that a cultural boycott will force Mr. Netanyahu from power, nor have I ever heard of a cultural boycott ending a bloody and prolonged conflict.”
Rowling added that she believes it will be “ordinary Israelis” who might not support Netanyahu who will be most affected by the boycotts.
“The sharing of art and literature across borders constitutes an immense power for good in this world,” Rowling said.