Israel on Monday expressed concern over anti-Semitic books being sold at Egypt’s government book fair.
“We are concerned about the persistence of anti-Semitic characteristics in Egyptian society,” read a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “which are expressed in books published and presented at the Cairo International Book Fair.”
A particularly glaring example is a new book on the history of Zionism, its cover featuring caricatures of hook-nosed Jewish men who rub their hands together as they appear to be plotting against Egypt.
The work, first reported by the Cannes public broadcaster, also features a menorah, Jewish star and a map of the world behind the figures on the cover.
The ostensible Jewish plan to dominate the world is a classic antisemitic trope.
The book was authored by Alexandria-based academic Muhammad Medhat Mustafa.
Israel also included a positive note in its statement.
The Foreign Ministry said, “We are determined to continue our efforts to strengthen cooperation with our Egyptian partners in a way that will strengthen peace, stability and security,” as well as against antisemitism. Battle too.
The Cairo event is the oldest and largest book fair in the Arab world.
It has made headlines in recent years for other antisemitic works, including The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, several editions of Henry Ford’s The International Jew, and the Talmud, the Holocaust, and the lesser-known but similar potentially harmful activities are involved. Rothschild Family.
Despite access to the Egyptian authorities by the Anti-Defamation League and 2020 letter Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives similar anti-Semitic epithets at an annual event organized by the government, by ADL chairman Jonathan Greenblatt.
The fair has also been accused of censorship of views critical of the government and against Islamists.
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi speaks during a press conference at the Elysee palace in Paris, France, December 7, 2020. (Michelle Euler / AP)
Israel and Egypt signed a peace accord in 1979, but relations have been mostly cold, although the governments have maintained close security ties in recent years. The countries share security interests in the Gaza Strip as well as in the Sinai and the eastern Mediterranean, but most Egyptians disapprove of ties with Israel.
Egypt regularly mediates between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip and shares a border with Egypt.
Although Cairo condemned National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount earlier this month, relations between the regional powers have remained stable.
an unnamed Egyptian official Told The London-based Asharq al-Awsat news outlet said his country sees Israel currently being led by “two governments” – one extremist at home and one more moderate representing Israel in its relations abroad.
