Kamila Shamsie’s book award withdrawn over her part in Israel boycott
Nelly Sachs prize was given to Shamsie this month, but its German jury has reversed decision because of the novelist’s pro-Palestinian activism
Kamila Shamsie has said that it is a “matter of outrage” that the Israel boycott campaign should be held up as something shameful after a German jury reversed its decision to award her the €15,000 (£13,000) Nelly Sachs prize over her support for the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
The eight-member jury had decided on 6 September to make the British-Pakistani author their latest winner, citing writing that “builds bridges between societies”. But when they learned of Shamsie’s support for the BDS movement, they announced that they would cancel their original vote and withdraw the award.