Peter Beinart has won the 2026 Literary Award for nonfiction from the writers’ free expression organization for his book Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning. The book delivers a sharp critique of the American Jewish community’s relationship with Israel and its response to the war in Gaza, arguing that longstanding narratives have obscured Palestinian suffering.

In announcing the honor, the judges praised the work for offering a model for reshaping inherited stories that no longer hold. Beinart, a prominent progressive Jewish writer and journalism professor, has frequently criticized Israeli government policies and has described Palestinian liberation as intertwined with Jewish liberation.

The award highlights ongoing shifts and tensions within the literary world over the war in Gaza. The organization has faced internal and public controversies in recent years related to free expression, cultural boycotts, and its stance on Israel. Beinart’s recognition follows other major literary honors for books critical of Western responses to the conflict, underscoring the issue’s continued influence across cultural institutions.