Under US auspices: Yahya Sinwar's books sold to all comers

The 11th International Arab Book Fair opened in Istanbul under the auspices of the US ambassador to Doha, despite the event including Holocaust denial and books by Yahya Sinwar. More than 300 publishers from 30 countries participate, with Qatar active. Dr. Yasin Aktay, former adviser to Turkey's president, emphasized strengthening the Islamist axis. The secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars called for aiding Gaza. Dr. Ariel Admoni says this is using soft means to support terrorism.

The 11th International Arab Book Fair opened last Saturday in Istanbul and will run until August 23. The fair is held under the theme "The Story Continues," with more than 300 publishers from over 30 countries participating. The US ambassador to Doha sponsored the event, despite it including the dissemination of Holocaust denial messages and books by Yahya Sinwar. Qatar, whose culture ministry set up a booth at the fair, is one of the active countries. Dr. Yasin Aktay, former adviser to Turkey's president, presented the goal of strengthening the Islamist axis and said the fair aims to strengthen ties among people in the Islamic world. The event showcased Qatari-Turkish cooperation also in the context of Hamas: the secretary-general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi, called for keeping the Palestinian people's issue at the forefront and transferring aid to the Gaza Strip. The union operates from Qatar and belongs to the Muslim Brotherhood movement, and Hamas itself belongs to this movement. Dr. Ariel Admoni from Ariel University says this cooperation illustrates the Qatari-Turkish use of soft cultural means to continue economic and moral support for Palestinian terrorism.