Malaysia’s education ministry has withdrawn their name from the annual Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, as according to them, the event organizers have been adopted a pro-Israel stance.
“The ministry will not compromise with Israel’s violence in Palestine, which clearly violates international laws and human rights,” the ministry said in a statement, reports Al Jazeera.
“The decision by the Ministry of Education is in line with the government’s position to always stand in solidarity and give full support to Palestine.”
Several publishing organizations from the Middle East and elsewhere have also withdrawn from the literary festival, including the Arab Publishers Association, the Emirates Publishers Association, Sharjah Book Authority and PublisHer, the industry magazine Publishing Perspectives reported.
The withdrawals follow the postponement of the festival’s awards ceremony to honour Palestine-born author Adania Shibli due to Hamas’s attack on Israel, according to Publishing Perspectives.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
