Boycotts hit book fair over Zionist support

Boycotts hit book fair over Zionist support

FRANKFURT: The world’s biggest book fair in Frankfurt lamented a “disaster” Tuesday after publishing groups from several predominantly Muslim countries withdrew in protest at organizers’ support for the Zionist entity following Hamas’ massive attack. Organizations that pulled out — including from the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia — were also angered at a decision to postpone an award ceremony for a Palestinian author following the outbreak of the Zionist-Gaza war.

The Frankfurt Book Fair official begins Wednesday against the backdrop of the escalating conflict that began after Palestinian fighters burst through the heavily fortified Gaza border on Oct 7 and launched the deadliest attack in the Zionist entity’s history. Book fair organizers swiftly denounced the “barbaric” assault and rushed to reorganize the schedule, pledging Zionist voices would feature prominently.

But, highlighting the bitter divisions unleashed by the conflict, the world’s biggest publishing trade event has since faced withdrawals by organizations in mostly Muslim countries. Among them was the Indonesian Publishers Association, which said organizers’ decision to “take sides and give (the Zionist entity) a platform has undermined the ideals of dialogue and efforts to build mutual understanding”. “Siding with (the Zionist entity) while forgetting the suffering of the Palestinian people is like reading