A group supporting Palestinian rights, CanLit Responds, has declared an end to its boycott of the Giller Prize, a year after initiating the protest. The group received an email from the executive director, Elana Rabinovitch, confirming that the Giller Prize no longer has sponsorship connections with Scotiabank or the Azrieli Foundation. Rabinovitch also clarified that the prize’s link to Indigo Books was only as a promotional partner, not a sponsor.
The boycott was launched in 2024 by CanLit Responds, representing numerous authors and bookworkers, due to the Giller sponsors’ ties to Israel. Notable Canadian authors like David Bergen, Shani Mootoo, and Thea Lim supported the boycott. Scotiabank had been the title sponsor of the $100,000 prize for twenty years until protests erupted in 2023 over its subsidiary’s affiliation with an Israeli arms manufacturer. The Giller Foundation severed ties with Scotiabank but the boycott persisted as CanLit Responds also demanded the prize not be associated with Indigo or the Azrieli Foundation.
Protesters objected to Indigo due to its CEO’s charity providing scholarships to former Israeli Defence Forces soldiers without family in Israel. Rabinovitch clarified in an email to CanLit Responds that the Giller never received funds from Indigo, which only showcased Giller-nominated works in their stores.
The partnership with the Azrieli Foundation also faced criticism for its connection to the Israeli real estate company Azrieli Group, which has ties to Bank Leumi, listed by the UN Human Rights Office for activities related to settlements in Palestinian territories. The Azrieli Foundation emphasized its distinction from the Azrieli Group and its commitment to supporting arts and culture in Canada.
Rabinovitch mentioned in an email that the Azrieli Foundation’s contract with the Giller ended in 2025. She noted that the Giller operated in 2025 with a one-time gift and donations from anonymous individuals and foundations to sustain the 2026 prize.
CanLit Responds hailed the end of the boycott as a victory against the normalization of Palestinian suffering and urged the Giller to ensure transparent and ethical sponsorships in the future. The group’s organizer, Michael DeForge, emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust with writers and readers. Author Andre Forget expressed cautious willingness to consider submitting future works to the Giller Prize, contingent on the evolving situation.
Regulatory filings revealed that Scotiabank’s 1832 Asset Management divested its remaining holdings in Israeli defence manufacturer Elbit Systems Ltd in February. The 2026 Giller Prize longlist will be announced in mid-September, followed by the shortlist in early October.