Paris Book Fair riles Mideast
Opening the Paris Book Fair on Thursday should have been a low-key cultural event on President Shimon Peres’ state visit to France. Instead, it was charged with Middle East tensions and a boycott by some Arab nations upset that it honors Israeli writers.
Peres praised the power of books and words -- “living organisms” -- and their contribution to Israel and Israelis. The boycott, he said, is an action that can hurt those involved.
“Those who want to burn books, boycott wisdom, prevent reflection, block freedom, condemn themselves to blindness, ignorance, to lack of reflection, loss of freedom,” Peres said in his only reference to the boycott.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization urged its 50 member nations to boycott the fair, saying Israel should not be honored at a time of “siege” against the Palestinian people. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia were among those heeding the boycott call.
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