Anti-Zionist Arab Books Criticized at Fair (NYT 9 Oct)

[Tangledog]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/09/books/09fair.html?ex=1255060800&en=2112f2e52316f264&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

<snip>
Publishers from Arab countries came to the Frankfurt Book Fair as the guests of honor, seeking understanding and tolerance as well as a greater appreciation of Arab culture and literature. But several publishers, as well as the book fair itself, have attracted criticism and charges of anti-Semitism for their display of at least a dozen books with strong anti-Zionist themes.
</snip>

Fairly "neutral" article, but interesting Euro/Arab and FOS subtexts.

[Fatima]

1. Naturally

Don't you know it is a "sin" to criticize the state of "Israel"?

190-something countries in the world, but don't dare say a cross word about "Israel."

God will getcha!

[msanthrope]

2. That's right......poor, persecuted anti-Semites.....

Riiiiiigggggghhttt....because the following is clearly a cogent criticism of the Israeli government:


**SNIP***
On the cover of one of the books, displayed by the Dar Tlass publishing house of Damascus, Syria, was a photograph of the World Trade Center exploding in flames during the 9/11 attacks. Overlaying the photo of the Twin Towers is a Star of David and a fingerprint.

Nearby, another book showed a Star of David covering the Statue of Liberty, which held, instead of a torch, a sword that dripped blood.

**SNIP***

Wow, I can't imagine why such literature would cause a controversy.