Representatives of 25 Egyptian and Arab professional associations submitted a memorandum to the French Foreign Ministry protesting against a plan to host Israel as a guest of honor next month at the Paris Book Fair.
A delegation representing these associations organized a token protest march to the French Embassy in Cairo. The march was led by author and Arab Writers Association head Muhammad Salmawi, Arab Publishers Association president Muhammad 'Abd Al-Latif, and Egyptian Publishers Association president Ibrahim Al-Moalem.
The memorandum stated that Israel's violation of the Palestinians' human rights over the past 60 years renders it unfit to be a guest of honor at the fair.
Source: Al-Ahram, Egypt, February 25, 2008; February 23, 2008.
