B. Yehoshua, Israel Aumann, Golda Meir, Amos Oz, Ephraim Kishon, Naomi Shemer, David Benvenisti, Leah Goldberg (posthumously) and Teddy Kollek, and organizations such as Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Jewish Agency, Yad Vashem and Jewish National Fund.

The decision was brought before the Supreme Court of Israel in the case of publicist Shmuel Shnitzer,[7] politician Shulamit Aloni, professor Zeev Sternhell[7] and Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club chairman Shimon Mizrahi.

[10] David Grossman withdrew his candidature saying that "Netanyahu's move is a cynical and destructive ploy that violates the freedom of spirit, thought and creativity of Israel and I refuse to cooperate with it".

[12] In an editorial, the Jerusalem Post wrote that Goldreich's "[c]alling for the boycott of professional colleagues ... is a red line that shouldn't be crossed".

[13] A Haaretz editorial said that Shasha-Biton's decision meant "the most prestigious prize awarded by Israel will not be the mark of scientific excellence but of loyalty to the government".

The decision caused a lot of resistance, especially since it was seen as a way to avoid giving the prize to Eyal Waldman, an Israeli activist whose daughter was murdered by the Hamas.