Our Minister of education and culture loves Lebanese books. But that doesn’t prevent him from boycotting the International Book Fair in Paris because Israel will be named “Guest of Honor”.
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The beirut spring is a blog that is interested in Lebanese society and its politics. It started in February 2005 after the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
February 28th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
This is rich from this and previous gvmnts.
Going after book fairs and Miss Lebanon etc while they sit in office and DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about the important issues.
Or like the Facebook arrests when every major investigation has yielded zilch, and now Saniora is asking Inspector Mirza Clouseau to look at the Mughnieh thing.
These people’s pictures should be in the dictionary next to the words “ridiculous” “hypocrite” and “moron”.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Isn’t this similar to the row over Fairuz’s participation in a play in Damascus?
Nothing but a simple question.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
For politicians that don’t appear to have basic abilities to handle the functions of governing properly, this is no more than an attempt to make themselves appear relevant. I would really be curious as to the outcome of a secret ballot on the issue by the people most directly concerned - writers. I’m too much of a realist to believe that such a vote could ever take place. I’d really like to be proven wrong, though.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Poor judgment and decision making.
Churchill said (on the appeasers): they thought they are scarifying honor to avoid war. They lost their honor and got war.
M14 and Siniora are being perceived as US and Israeli Allys
(or agents and stooges), any way. So why not go the full Monti and declare that they prefer USrael over Syran ?
Instead, they resort to the obsolete and typical move of the Arabs always, ( boycott ). It will Just makes them look more ridiculous and laughable.
Instead of promoting the culture of books and knowledge, they find themselves promoting the culture of death and backwardness.
.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
The one thing that unites Lebanon’s politicians (yes, even Junblatt) is their anti-Israelism. And I respect that.
I despise M14, but even I wouldn’t accuse them of playing the anti-Israeli card.
Yes, we can all remember the embarrassing tea-offering incident, but that demonstrates nothing.
If M14 was as shameless as the Jordanians or Egyptians, they could have aligned themselves with Israel to hurt Hizbollah. But even M14 wouldn’t stoop as low as those countries.
Good on you Mitri.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
It would be of them to attend an event that was honouring Israel when the Isrealis were butchering Lebanese children a little more than a year ago.
They made the right choice not to attend.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
that should have read: it would be ridiculous of them etc…
February 28th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Lebanon has a whopping two neighbours. Why not at least be at peace with the one *not* trying to annex you? (That would be Israel, btw.)
Oh, I forgot. Gotta have Arab street cred. Because the reward for that is… what exactly?
February 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
mustafa, I can’t vote :S :S lol
February 28th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
What Josey Wales said.
This, and other governments, need to be worrying more about getting our house in order, and about promoting what little culture we have left. And stop worrying about who is honoring Israel.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Btw, is any of you having problems with voting? (Afif?)
I’ve been hearing about technical difficulties (besides, the percentage of those who voted is very small relatively to those who read the post)
February 28th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I voted fine.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Mustafa, I also could not vote after pressing Vote it took me to a “Page not found” ! It seems I’m not the only one facing that.
Thank you for your blog Mustafa. Your views are always balanced and rational.
P.S BBC reported now that USS Cole is to be positioned off Lebanon.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7270102.stm
Is that a message to Syria or a preparation for something coming soon?
February 28th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Oh, Sorry for the double post, but the voting is working now. If the Vote does not work for the first time, refresh your browser; it worked fine for me.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
People have to wake up to the reality that Israel is here to stay, as much as we might not agree with their methods we have to accept this basic fact.
Almost all Arab countries have some form or another of communication/business with Israel. Heck, even Iran back in the early 80s were doing business with Israel, remember the Iran-Contra gate!
If this govt thinks they’re scoring points with the opposition by taking such a lame stand then they’re simply buffoons.
HA, and nasralha’s divine virtues, are nothing but hypocrites for they don’t mind the financial and political aid from Qatar, a country (if you can call it one) which openly conducts dealings with Israel, but are quick to label M14 as Israeli agents.
February 28th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I still don’t understand why this government feels it has to earn points with the opposition. The opposition doesn’t seem to be interested in Saniora’s “points”, yet he insists on defending the “Resistance” and praising a guy like Mughnieh, even while those folks assassinate his colleagues.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Excuse my french but I think Saniora is a pussy. I can’t believe he and Saad had the audacity of paying condolences for that savage criminal. A total outrage.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Put me down as another voter who pressed the button and wound up with a “Page not found”.
February 29th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Hi,
I just made some adjustments to the poll software.
Could those who couldn’t vote please try again and report?
February 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Why does Lebanon have to loose everytime Israel joins an international conference?
Why should we sacrifice?
February 29th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
It’s working just fine :)
IT’s true it’s sad we’re boycotting a book fair in Paris! of all places..
Well Israel is also boycotting a human rights conference or smthg too..
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 am
kind of primitive isn’t it?
March 6th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
No, its not primitive. Israel is a country that has not respected Lebanese sovereignty or any other sovereignty in the region. We are at war with them and have the right to not promote anything that promotes Israel. Does culture only come at the feet of those who oppress us and who want to erase us as Israel wants to do? We have so many ways to promote culture and education in Lebanon. And besides, those who say Lebanon loses are overstating the importance of such a conference.
We have to have some principles if we expect to have anything at all.
I do believe that we have to chose out battles wisely, but that we have a battle with Israel is in my mind beyond any doubt whatsoever.
Peace!
March 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I an an Israeli. That put aside, I believe mixing politics and arts, Is like water and oil.Leave the politics to the decision makers. They are excellent In ruining everything which might bring positivity and advancement to our lives. The Israeli writers that were Invited to discuss and explain their views and works, are mostly the best sellers, within Israel and abroad, and most of them have pro Palestinian leanings.The majority of Arab readers , unfortunatly, will not have the chance to find out.Had the Islamic culture organization bothered to read the list of speakers, they would had realized this. I enjoy, In my country, an unlimited access, to the jewels of Arab literature and publications, traslated to hebrew. Elias Khoury Is a mega best seller, especially In 1998 with Bab Al Shams.Exposing Arab and Muslim readers to the works of Grossman, Oz, Kastel-Blum,Keret, will only enrich and demonstrate to those readers, what atmosphere Is on Israelis minds- most are revolted and very upset with the way politics that leads to violence,and the truely wishful desire to live side by side of our neighbors. Neither Israel, nore the Palestinians, will disapear,and most Israelis know, and It shows In Its literature,that with good will,sense of justice, we can carve a solution. Surely It won’t satistfy everyone, but It will allow a more normal existance. I feel that the Arab and Muslim artists and writers,were short changed by their organization and have missed ( not for the first time) an opportunity, to show everyone, the greatness of their works.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:04 am
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