War Spurs Record Year for Hebrew Literature and Children’s Books
The National Library of Israel has released its annual book report ahead of Hebrew Book Week, revealing a sharp rebound in publishing activity during 2024 following the disruption caused by the October 7 terrorist attack and ensuing war. A total of 6,928 printed books were published in Israel in 2024, up from 6,037 in 2023. The increase is attributed to resumed activity across the industry and a backlog of titles postponed during the final quarter of 2023.
One of the most striking trends was the surge in titles related to the October 7 attack and the ongoing Iron Swords War. According to the report, 548 books addressed the war and its consequences—from nonfiction analyses and biographies to prose and children’s literature. The library also received 392 additional war-related books from abroad, bringing the total to 940.
“The trauma of the terror attack, the issue of the hostages, and the impact of the longest war that Israel has experienced have influenced every aspect of life in Israel,” said National Library Director Oren Weinberg. He added, “We are also witnessing the enormous impact … in the way of commemorating the fallen and the murdered,” noting a shift from printed memorial books to other forms such as music, film, and community projects.
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A record number of prose and poetry books—2,272 in total—were published, continuing a yearslong growth trend in this genre. Children’s and young adult literature also saw an increase, with 1,405 titles released in 2024, compared to 1,049 the previous year. Many of these books reflected themes of war, reserve duty, evacuation, and bereavement.
The share of Hebrew-language books declined slightly to 90% of total publications, down from 93.4% in 2023. English-language books rose to 5%, while Arabic-language books held steady at 2%. Most translated works originated in English, followed by French, German, and a wide range of other languages.
Instructional and hobby books saw a notable drop, falling from 7% of total output in 2023 to just over 3% in 2024. This decline is thought to be linked to the increased availability of similar content online.
Digital publishing also expanded, with 1,793 digital books submitted to the library, primarily Hebrew-language texts. Digital titles addressing the humanities, history, and Israeli society grew in proportion, while religious and poetic content declined slightly.
In terms of publishing models, 61.3% of all books were produced by commercial publishers. Independent authors accounted for 20%, and nonprofit organizations contributed 16%. Academic and government publishers made up a smaller share.
Weinberg emphasized the importance of the Legal Deposit Law in preserving Israel’s literary record, encouraging private individuals to submit copies of any book printed in more than 50 copies. The library continues to expand its national memory database, which includes not only books but also prayers, testimonies, music, and other media documenting the war.
