Control over the global book market has become increasingly concentrated, with Amazon accounting for roughly half of all print sales and close to 80 per cent of e-books. For many independent publishers, presence on the platform is not optional but essential, shaping both visibility and commercial survival in an already competitive landscape.

Concerns have been raised by Palestinian publishers who say their titles are being restricted through Amazon’s advertising system. According to several accounts, books addressing Palestine are being prevented from gaining promotional traction, significantly reducing their discoverability. In practical terms, this limits readership and narrows the space in which such works can circulate.

The issue is not framed solely as a commercial obstacle but as part of a wider pattern affecting which narratives reach global audiences. Publishers argue that restricted access to advertising tools places them at a structural disadvantage, particularly when competing within a platform that dominates distribution channels. The result, they warn, is both economic strain and a diminished presence of Palestinian perspectives in international publishing markets.