A group supporting Palestinian rights, which previously led a campaign against the Giller Prize, has declared an end to their boycott of the literary award. CanLit Responds received an email from Giller’s executive director, Elana Rabinovitch, confirming that the prize no longer has sponsorship connections with Scotiabank or the Azrieli Foundation. Rabinovitch also clarified that Indigo Books was solely a promotional partner, not a sponsor.

The boycott was initiated by CanLit Responds in fall 2024 due to the Giller sponsors’ ties to Israel, prompting notable Canadian authors like David Bergen, Shani Mootoo, and Thea Lim to join the protest. Scotiabank had been the prize’s naming sponsor for 20 years until controversies arose in 2023 over its subsidiary’s investments in an Israeli arms manufacturer.

The ongoing boycott demanded that the Giller Prize sever ties with both Indigo and the Azrieli Foundation. Activists raised concerns about Indigo’s CEO running a charity that supports former Israel Defence Forces soldiers. Rabinovitch clarified in a January email that the Giller had never received funding from Indigo and that the bookstore only featured Giller-nominated works.

Protesters also objected to the partnership with the Azrieli Foundation due to its association with the Azrieli Group, which has ties to Bank Leumi, implicated by the UN in activities related to settlements in Palestinian territories. The foundation clarified that it operates separately from the Azrieli Group and remains committed to supporting arts and culture in Canada.

Rabinovitch informed CanLit Responds that the Azrieli Foundation’s contract with the Giller ended in 2025. She mentioned that the Giller was sustained in 2025 through donations, allowing the prize to continue in 2026. CanLit Responds hailed the end of their campaign as a victory and emphasized the importance of transparent and ethical sponsorships for the Giller Prize moving forward.