Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize–winning novelist whose work is set to be adapted into an upcoming HBO series, found himself at the center of controversy after signing a letter critical of Israel. The letter, which calls for an “end to the violence and destruction in Palestine,” asserts, “Neither Israel, the occupying power, nor the armed groups of the people under occupation, the Palestinians, can ever be justified in targeting defenseless people.”
Nguyen was scheduled to appear at an event at the 92nd Street Y (92NY) in New York City, but was pulled from the event at the last minute due to his association with the letter. In a statement, the 92NY explained their decision: “We are a Jewish institution that has always welcomed people with diverse viewpoints to our stage. Given the public comments by the invited author on Israel and this moment, we felt the responsible course of action was to postpone the event while we take some time to determine how best to use our platform and support the entire 92NY community.”
Nguyen described the decision as a “cancellation” and took to Instagram to explain why he signed the letter. He wrote, “I hope there is a moral consensus that killing civilians is wrong, whether Hamas does it or whether Israel does it. I try to keep space in my mind and heart for all the victims and their loved ones. We share a common humanity.”
Nguyen’s experience highlights the tensions surrounding public discourse on the Israel-Palestine conflict, especially within institutions and communities deeply connected to the issues. His commitment to speaking out, even in the face of such controversy, underscores his belief in the importance of acknowledging the shared humanity of all victims.