There is a possibility that you have heard of the famed British author, J K Rowling, writer of the popular fantasy series Harry Potter. While I knew of her books –through my teenage kids – I knew little about the author herself, until recently.

Under an oblique title, "Israel needs cultural bridges, not boycotts", Rowling, along with a few celebrity writers, argued against growing calls for an academic boycott of Israel.

Using generalized, ambiguous terminology that offered little by way of compelling Israel to end its ongoing Occupation in Jerusalem and the West Bank, genocide, and siege in Gaza and protracted institutional discrimination against Arabs and other minorities in Israel, she argued for "cultural engagement", instead. Such engagement, her letter reads, "builds bridges, nurtures freedom and positive movement for change. We wholly endorse encouraging such a powerful tool for change, rather than boycotting its use."

The author seems disconnected from the reality of life under Israeli Occupation. On the day of writing this article, I spoke to Ismail Abu Aitah, a young man from Gaza who lost both his parents, his brothers, and one of his nephews when Israel blew up their house in the 2014 summer war. He, too, was badly injured, together with almost every surviving member of his family.