Simon & Schuster, through its Atria Books imprint, has agreed to republish two novels by a Palestinian author with a documented history of inflammatory public statements. The publisher announced the deal in a press release that praised her "signature lyrical voice" And "nuanced characters."
The author has made public statements referring to Israelis as "rootless soulless ghouls" And "Jewish supremacist demons," Described the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack as a "spectacular" Moment, and used terms such as "cockroaches" Against critics. She has also called for Israel to be dismantled.
The deal drew renewed attention following the author's earlier collaboration with an illustrator whose spouse is a New York City official. That official later characterized some of the author's rhetoric as "patently unacceptable and reprehensible."
Simon & Schuster declined to provide additional comment on the decision.