- CAIRO, Egypt -- The Alexandria
Library has withdrawn the first Arabic translation of the "Protocols
of the Elders of Zion" from an exhibit after U.N. cultural officials
questioned the display of the 19th century anti-Semitic tract.
-
- In a statement faxed to The Associated Press on Saturday,
library director Ismail Serageldin denied allegations that the book was
displayed next to the Jewish holy book, the Torah.
-
- "The book was promptly withdrawn from public display.
But its very inclusion showed bad judgment and insensitivity, and an internal
hearing is underway to determine whether further action is to be taken,"
read the statement, which was dated Thursday.
-
- Earlier in the week, Koichiro Matsuura, director general
of UNESCO, the U.N. cultural organization, ordered a letter written to
the library questioning the display.
-
- The book, which tells of a supposed Jewish plot to take
over the world, has long been dismissed as a forgery. It was written by
Imperial Russia's secret police to blame the country's troubles on Jews.
-
- Youssef Ziedan, who as director of the library manuscript
center made the decision to display the book, noted the exhibition including
the book was only open to researchers doing postgraduate studies.
-
- "My professional view is that it is a silly book,"
he said. "Its only significance is that it is the first Arabic edition
of the book that has influenced the Arab mentality to a great extent."
-
- The showcase, which changes every month, also includes
banned political books and controversial and confiscated books, Ziedan
said.
-
- The Alexandria library, which was opened last year, is
an attempt to recreate the atmosphere of the ancient library in the northern
Egyptian city, once a major center of scholarship.
-
- Copyright (c) 2003, The Associated Press
-
- http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-alexandria-library-jews,0,7
671726.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines
-
- Statement by the Director of the Library of Alexandria
-
- Press Release
- December 2003
-
- 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion'
-
- ALEXANDRIA - The following statement is attributable
to the Director of the Library of Alexandria, Dr. Ismail Serageldin:
-
- "Recent press reports concerning the presence of
the first Arabic translation of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in
an exhibition in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina deserve a prompt and clear
reply. Preliminary investigation determined that the book was briefly displayed
in a showcase devoted to rotating samples of curiosities and unusual items
in our collection. The book was never displayed alongside the Jewish Torah
nor has it ever been stated that it is a holy book or the basis for a Jewish
constitution. The book is a well-known 19th century fabrication to foment
anti-Jewish feelings.
-
- "The book was promptly withdrawn from public display,
but its very inclusion showed bad judgment and insensitivity, and an internal
administrative hearing is underway to determine whether further action
is to be taken.
-
- "The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is profoundly committed
to its role as a center of learning and a place promoting tolerance, dialogue
and understanding between peoples, cultures and civilizations. We are honored
to work with distinguished international partners in promoting these universal
ideals".
|
