Aharon Shabtai: "No to Israel at IBF of Turin"

Aharon Shabtai, one of the greatest living Israeli poets says “no” both to the Turin and to the Paris Book Fair. Here is the letter he sent to Edna Degon, in charge of organizing the Israeli presence at the coming Paris Book Fair.

Dear Edna,
Thank you for your letter.
I do not believe that a State that maintains an occupation, committing on a daily basis crimes against civilians, deserves to be invited to any kind of cultural week. That is, it is anti-cultural; it is a barbarian act masked as culture in the most cynical way. It manifests support for Israel, and even to France that sustains the occupation. And I do not want to participate.
Kind regards,
Aharon Shabtai
7 December, 2007

Poor Israel. With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies?