Italy's president Giorgio Napolitano has defended his decision to open the Turin Book Fair, where Israel is this year's guest of honour, despite calls for a boycott by some Arab and Italian intellectuals. The President's office said that his appearance at Thursday's inauguration of the fair is in line with his participation in many cultural events. Controversy has been brewing for months over the event, mirroring similar protests against the Paris Book Fair in March, which also showcased works by Israeli writers.
Italian media has earlier quoted the Muslim scholar Tariq Ramadan as saying that Napolitano's intention to open the Turin fair was a mistake. "His presence shows that this is a political event, and not only a cultural event," the ANSA news agency quoted Ramadan as saying. Ramadan also accused Napolitano of labelling all those who criticize Israel as anti-Semites.
