A group advocating for Palestinian rights that instigated a boycott against the Giller Prize over a year ago has declared an end to their protest. CanLit Responds, asserting to represent numerous authors and book industry professionals, confirmed the termination of their boycott through an email from the executive director, Elana Rabinovitch. The email disclosed that the Giller Prize has severed sponsorship connections with Scotiabank and the Azrieli Foundation.
The group initiated the boycott in the fall of 2024 due to objections to the Giller’s ties with Israel, prompting notable Canadian authors like David Bergen, Shani Mootoo, and Thea Lim to join the cause. Scotiabank, the long-time $100,000 naming sponsor of the prize, faced backlash in 2023 over its subsidiary’s involvement with an Israeli arms manufacturer, leading to the split between the Giller Foundation and the bank. Despite this, CanLit Responds persisted with their demands for the prize to disassociate from both Indigo and the Azrieli Foundation.
An issue arose with Indigo due to its CEO’s charity supporting scholarships for former Israel Defence Forces soldiers without family in the country. Rabinovitch clarified in a January email to CanLit Responds that Indigo had never financially supported the Giller, only showcasing nominated works in their stores. The group also protested the partnership with the Azrieli Foundation, citing its ties to the Israeli real estate company Azrieli Group, which has stakes in Bank Leumi, listed by the United Nations Human Rights Office for its involvement in settlements in Palestinian territories.
The Azrieli Foundation emphasized its separation from the Azrieli Group and reiterated its commitment to supporting arts and culture in Canada. Rabinovitch further disclosed that the foundation’s contract with the Giller concluded in 2025, with the prize operating in 2026 through undisclosed donations. CanLit Responds hailed the end of their boycott as a victory against normalizing injustices and urged the Giller to maintain transparent and ethical sponsorships in the future.
The group’s organizer, Michael DeForge, emphasized the need for the Giller to rebuild trust with writers and readers, with uncertainty on authors’ participation in the prize moving forward. Canadian writer Andre Forget expressed openness to future submissions contingent on evolving circumstances, acknowledging the challenging episode experienced by many. Regulatory filings revealed Scotiabank’s divestment from Israeli defence manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd. The announcement of the 2026 Giller Prize longlist is expected in mid-September, followed by the shortlist in early October.