Surprising importance of famous author's predictable literary prize

Published: 19 February 2018

Last updated: 4 March 2024

ON REGULAR DAYS, awarding the Israel Prize in literature to David Grossman would have been perfectly obvious. Grossman’s literary work has gained an enthusiastic readership in Israel and around the world and huge critical acclaim, both at home and abroad.

It’s universal yet very Israeli, penetrating deep into Israelis’ pains and providing them with relief and remedy. His legs are deeply ingrained in the land of this country, in its landscapes, and even more so in its human landscape.

His selection is so obvious, that many people were surprised to hear that he is only receiving the Israel Prize now.

But these are not regular days. The politics controlling Israel today is tribal, instigating, inciting and dividing. Anyone who dares to disagree with the government is honoured with delegitimisation and personal rejection.

The culture minister is the chief censor. She legitimises and disqualifies works of art, she names patriots and traitors, she decides who is entitled to governmental aid and who is cast out, who is worthy of being featured in festivals and who isn’t—going against the authorities granted to her by law.

FULL STORY David Grossman’s Israel Prize win inspires hope (Ynet)

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Grossman, don’t accept the prize - Opinion

Photo: Motti Kimchi