Pulitzer Prize Winner Jhumpa Lahiri Declines Award Over New York Museum’s Keffiyeh Ban, Reports Reuters

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON – Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has opted to forgo an award from New York City’s Noguchi Museum following the museum’s dismissal of three employees for wearing keffiyeh headscarves, which are commonly recognized as symbols of Palestinian solidarity. This decision came after the museum implemented an updated dress code policy.

The museum released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging Lahiri’s choice: "Jhumpa Lahiri has chosen to withdraw her acceptance of the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award in response to our updated dress code policy. We respect her perspective and understand that this policy may or may not align with everyone’s views." Lahiri was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2000 for her book "Interpreter of Maladies."

Globally, protesters advocating for an end to Israel’s military actions in Gaza have donned the black-and-white keffiyeh. This scarf has long been associated with Palestinian self-determination and was frequently worn by anti-apartheid South African leader Nelson Mandela. Conversely, proponents of Israel contend that the keffiyeh signals support for extremism.

In a recent incident in Vermont, three Palestinian descent students were victims of an attack; two were wearing the keffiyeh at the time.

Israel’s continuing military operations in Gaza have resulted in significant casualties and the mass displacement of the population, following a deadly assault by Hamas militants on October 7.

Last month, the museum, originally established by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, announced a dress code banning employees from displaying any "political messages, slogans, or symbols," leading to the termination of three staff members.

In the U.S., others have also faced job losses due to their views on the Israel-Gaza conflict. For instance, a hospital in New York City fired a Palestinian American nurse in May after she described Israel’s actions in Gaza as "genocide" during an award acceptance speech. Israel has denied charges of genocide presented by South Africa at the World Court.