Egyptian culture minister: I would burn Israeli books myself
Israel files official complaint with Egypt over Farouk Hosni's remarks, may
thwart his appointment as UNESCO secretary-general
Itamar Eichner YNET Published: 05.14.08, 14:25 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3543242,00.html

Diplomatic tensions have arised between Israel and Egypt due to a harsh
statement made recently by Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni. In a
conference that took place in the Egyptian Parliament last week, the
minister said that he "would burn Israeli books himself if found in Egyptian
libraries."

Israeli Ambassador to Cairo Shalom Cohen defined this statement in a
classified report that he submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Jerusalem as "harsh and especially blunt, in a way which makes it impossible
for Israel and for the international community to continue a regular agenda
with Egypt."

Friends in Peace?

Yedioth Ahronoth was informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received
and accepted the Israeli ambassador's suggestion to present a severe protest
to the Egyptian government. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
passed on a severe protest to the Egyptian ambassador in Israel.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is scheduled to leave for Sharm
al-Sheikh in order to participate in a summit with US President George W.
Bush, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Jordan's King Abdullah and
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. She is likely to raise the issue in her
discussions with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The anger in Israel over Hosni's statement is especially emphasized due to
the fact that the Hosni is Egypt's candidate for the UNESCO position, as the
United Nations' education, science and cultural organization
secretary-general, and he has good chances of being chosen.

Israel is weighing the option of bringing the case to the attention of the
international community and thus harming his chances of receiving the
position.

Hosni is considered one of the strongest opposition leaders in the Egyptian
government to stand against normalization with Israel. In the past, he
accused Israel of trying to steal Egyptian culture, and he adamantly opposes
any cooperation with Israel.

Moreover, he opposed an initiative presented by the American-Jewish
Committee to establish a museum of Jewish antiquity and culture in Cairo.