- 92nd Street Y cancels talk by Pulitzer-winning author who backs Palestinians

A reading by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen was canceled by a Jewish organization in New York City. The cancellation came a day after Nguyen signed an open letter condemning Israel’s “indiscriminate violence” against Palestinians in Gaza. The event was scheduled to take place at the 92nd Street Y literary center’s Christopher Lightfoot Walker Reading Series event in Manhattan. Nguyen learned of the cancellation at 3 p.m. and expressed his disappointment on Instagram. The 92NY, which describes itself as a “proudly Jewish organization,” confirmed the postponement of the event. They cited Nguyen’s stance on Israel and the recent attack by Hamas as reasons for the decision. Nguyen’s representatives have not provided further details. The attack by Hamas into southern Israel two weeks ago resulted in a high death toll and a total siege of Gaza, leaving its residents in dire conditions. Nguyen signed the open letter because he believes Israel’s policies lead to the death of innocent civilians. He remains a strong supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. The organizers of the event moved it to an independent bookshop, where Nguyen spoke about his book and the importance of art in times of war and division.