More than 1,000 leading writers and thinkers have criticised an “illiberal and dangerous” literary boycott of Israel over its war in Gaza.

Sally Rooney joined fellow writers in pledging to boycott Israeli cultural institutions “complicit” in “justifying Israel’s occupation, apartheid or genocide”.

In an open letter published on Monday, pro-Palestinian authors vowed to shun “publishers, festivals, literary agencies and publications” that they believe are involved in “oppression”.

Now, bestselling novelist Lee Child and 1,000 leading writers and thinkers have responded by likening the planned boycott to the action of a “self-righteous cult”.

Child, Howard Jacobson, Douglas Murray, Sir Simon Schama, Sir Niall Ferguson and French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy have all signed a counter-letter repudiating the boycott.