Simon & Schuster proceeds with Susan Abulhawa's books despite antisemitism accusations

Simon & Schuster’s Atria imprint will publish two of Susan Abulhawa’s novels on Sept. 29, 2026, despite her long-standing record of describing Jews as "roaches," "demons" and other hateful terms. Former CEO Jonathan Karp, now heading the Simon Six imprint, issued a statement that the company opposes antisemitism, racism and all bigotry, but maintained that publishing a range of viewpoints is a core principle and that Abulhawa’s opinions are her own.

The decision has drawn sharp rebuke from the Anti-Defamation League, author Gerald Posner and other writers who argue the publisher is giving a platform to extremist rhetoric. Simon & Schuster has previously withdrawn books by Republican senator Josh Hawley and provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos after liberal backlash. The controversy coincides with the release of another Atria title, Israel’s Lobby, and comes under the ownership of private-equity firm KKR, whose leaders have not responded to inquiries.