Irish author John Banville pulls out of Spanish festival after Argentinian author dropped over pro-Israel stance

The International Festival of Art, Literature and Cultural Humanities Cultur-Alh, which is in its second year, took place from September 24 to 27

Author John Banville declined to attend the closing ceremony of the International Festival of Art, Literature and Cultural Humanities Cultur-Ah on Sunday. Picture: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos.

Irish author John Banville pulled out of a Spanish literary festival after it excluded an Argentinian author following pressure from pro-Palestinian student groups protesting her support for Israel.

Banville declined to attend the closing ceremony of the International Festival of Art, Literature and Cultural Humanities Cultur-Alh, an annual event organised by the University of Granada, on Sunday.