By IRNA
Paris : Paris book fair opened on Friday amid extensive boycott by the Islamic states due to allocating the event to Israel.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization urged nations to boycott Paris book fair, saying Israel should not be honored at a time of “siege” against the Palestinian people.
The Moroccan-based ISESCO said last month that it had urged the boycott to protest against Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
“The crimes against humanity” that Israel is perpetrating in the Palestinian territories “constitute, in themselves, a strong condemnation of Israel, making it unworthy of being welcomed as a guest of honor,” the group said in a statement.
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia were among the countries heeding the boycott call, though some writers, publishers and booksellers from those countries were expected to attend, according to Serge Eyrolles, the fair organizer.
The fair opened on Friday and runs through March 19.
Each year the international fair puts the spotlight on one country.
This year it is inviting 39 writers from Israel, including David Grossman, Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua and Aharon Appelfeld. A similar controversy is brewing about the May book fair in Turin, which is also highlighting Israeli works.
“It’s a closing instead of an opening,” an organizer said.