Malaysia’s education ministry has withdrawn from this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair amid rising international dissent over the current confrontation between Israeli and Palestinian troops, accusing the organizers of having a pro-Israel attitude.
Following the fatal bombing by the militant Hamas in Israel on October 7, literary association Litprom announced it would postpone an award ceremony for a novel by a Palestinian author at the event. Malaysia then decided to withdraw from what is thought to be the world’s largest trade expo for books.
The fair’s organizer also said on Facebook that it will “especially make Jewish and Israeli voices visible” during this year’s event.
The Malaysian education ministry issued a statement late on Monday: “The ministry will not compromise with Israel’s violence in Palestine, which clearly violates international law and human rights.”
“The decision (to withdraw) is in line with the government’s stand to be in solidarity and offer full support for Palestine.”
Muslim-majority Malaysia has traditionally backed the cause of the Palestinians, and last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim declared that he disagreed with Western attempts to demonize Hamas.
Following a phone chat with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday, Anwar demanded the immediate cessation of Gaza’s bombing and the creation of a humanitarian corridor.
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