Boycotting the Paris Book Fair is unjust

From March 14 to 19, Israel will occupy the seat of honour at the Paris Book Fair. Several Arab countries are boycotting the event, a position which frustrates editorialist Dominique Quinio. "It is particularly unjust that the opposition to Israel targets books and those who write them. All literature ... is universal; it weaves connections; translated, it transcends borders. Israeli literature, which consists of many books inspired by the experience of the Holocaust, ballasted with an incomparable weight of humanity, speaks to all of us. Many Israeli writers - notably the ones who will be present at the Fair - argue for peace, for the existence of a Palestinian state, and are ardently opposed to their government's decisions. The places where ideas meet, and the occasions for peaceful debate aren't predominant enough that we should be satisfied with a policy of empty seats. To have people speak about books rather than arms: the world would benefit."

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