The boycott of PEN America led by Writers Against the War on Gaza was a success.

On December 31st, 2025, Writers Against the War on Gaza ended their boycott of PEN America, declaring a win in the collective effort of pressure and condemnation that they helped to organize:

…as PEN America has responded to our demands that the organization live up to its stated mission by defending Palestinian writers and investing in Palestinian life and culture, we are no longer calling for all writers of conscience to withdraw from any association with the organization.

The statement goes on to list the changes at PEN America as a result of the pressure by writers, culture workers, organizers and others working with WAWOG and other allied groups. Most prominently, Suzanne Nossel stepped down as PEN’s CEO after intense internal and external pressure. The boycott led to enough withdrawals that PEN’s Jean Stein Award went unawarded for two years and the prize money was instead donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Mass refusals also led to the cancellation of multiple PEN America events.

Crucially, the organized pressure and condemnation also spurred PEN America to direct more of its attention and resources to Palestine. Since the boycott, PEN has donated to Palestinian aid organizations, highlighted writers and journalists who have been targeted and killed by Israel, and released a report on the deliberate destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage. PEN America has also begun describing Israel’s actions as genocidal and calling for an American arms embargo.

This win is a reminder of the power of collective action and solidarity. “Cultural institutions belong to us, not to billionaire board members,” WAWOG’s statement says. “PEN America is one of many institutions whose mission has been corrupted by its allegiance to empire. That is the bad news. The good news: This victory is reproducible.”

WAWOG’s work continues, in particular with their excellent publication The New York War Crimes and with other collective calls for boycott, including of the New York Times’ op-ed page. The organization continues to call for all writers of conscience to continue to deny any normalization of genocide and apartheid, to engage in mutual aid, and to continue to organize for Palestine.

The full statement from Writers Against the War on Gaza is available on their page, including information on how to get more involved in other efforts.