The controversy surrounding Irish author Sally Rooney’s new novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You, appears to be on the downswing. Now that Rooney has clarified that she takes issue with Israel, and not the Hebrew language spoken by Israelis, the public discussion has morphed. At least in some quarters, there appears to be less heat and more understanding.

Rooney’s public statement on the subject must have made sense to her, and perhaps it pleased her publisher. But it is nonsensical.