Fossil Free Books responds to SoA vote on Gaza statement

Fossil Free Books – a coalition of book industry workers which advocates for sector-wide divestment from fossil fuels – has issued a statement following the Society of Authors’ extraordinary general meeting, during which members voted against issuing a statement condemning Israeli violence in Gaza. 

The extraordinary general meeting (e.g.m.) was called in March so that members of the society could vote on resolutions pertaining to Gaza, AI and fossil fuel divestment. 

The Gaza resolution, organised by Fossil Free Books (FFB) and Book Workers for A Free Palestine, proposed that the Society of Authors (SoA) issue a statement condemning Israeli violence in the region, and lost by a slim margin. Another resolution organised by the FFB called for divestment from fossil fuels and won by a large majority, as did a resolution opposing the use of members’ work to inform AI training models. 

Following the e.g.m., FFB has accused  the SoA of “double standards”. The society had previously issued a statement expressing solidarity with Ukraine, it points out.

FFB said: “We are disappointed that our trade union still refuses to condemn the genocide in Gaza, support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, or express solidarity with Palestinian writers and publishing workers here in the UK who face job loss and censorship for speaking out.

“But – whatever the outcome of the vote – this was always just the start. Hundreds of workers from all parts of the book industry came together to organise for this vote. We know that a book industry that is genocide and fossil free is possible. We call on every single book worker – booksellers, authors, editors, agents, librarians, translators, illustrators and more – to join Fossil Free Books and Book Workers for a Free Palestine to organise with us."

In 2023, FFB organised a boycott of the Edinburgh International Book festival owing to its work with lead sponsor Baillie Gifford, which invests in some companies related to fossil fuels. 

The FFB added: “We are heartened that our fossil fuels motion has passed, and that the demands for divestment first made by authors last summer in Edinburgh are now supported by our trade union.” The full FFB statement can be read here. 

FFB member and author Kamila Shamsie said: “It was astonishing to watch the Society of Authors back one resolution which is deeply political (divesting from fossil fuels) while opposing another on the grounds that the Society of Authors doesn’t engage in politics.” 

Another member, the writer Guy Gunaratne, said the small margin “shows a huge support for a different trade union: one that truly protects authors, illustrators and translators”.

Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, chair of the SoA board, said in response: “We appreciate that many members are very disappointed with the result of the vote on Resolution 3, which asked the SoA to publish a statement on Gaza. Ahead of the e.g.m., while some expressed frustration that the SoA has not already made a statement on Gaza, others described Resolution 3 itself as ‘divisive’ and ‘alienating’. The fact that the voting was so close on this – 53% against to 47% for the resolution – demonstrates just how divided the membership is on this issue.

“However, it is important to note that the Resolution 3 vote was on whether or not the SoA should publish a statement. It was not – as some have claimed – a vote on whether or not the SoA membership is for or against a ceasefire. We are a democratic organisation and our members will always hold a wide range of views, and disagree on issues – which means that as in this case the staff team and board need to navigate the fine line between them.

“We look forward to working with Fossil Free Books and other partners on next steps following the vote on Resolution 2, and to discussing how we should turn that result into practical action.”