I was intrigued by the appended posting, largely because of an exchange several years ago about "Israeli censorship of Arabic literature" and how it affected libraries within Israel and the West Bank. The posting accused Israel of banning the import of books from the Arab world and those cutting off Arabic readers from their own culture. As I recall, the tone of the posting was so extreme – something along the lines of Israel's war on Palestinian libraries – that I decided to investigate.
As with many of the accusations against Israel, there was a grain of truth to the story but the facts, as usual, are more complicated. Lebanon is the powerhouse of publishing in the Arab-speaking world but, because Lebanon and Israel are still in a declared state of war, all imports from Lebanon to Israel are prohibited. However, the one exception Israel allows are books. And Israel doesn't censor or prohibit import material in Arabic generally. But because items from Lebanon are generally prohibited, imports are delayed and there is a premium and mark-up on books imported into Israel. The delay in access and extra cost is the crux of the accusation of censorship. Ironically, the reverse situation is more extreme. The state of war between to the two countries gives rise to a long list of anti-Israel measures in Lebanon. All correspondence or contact with Israelis is prohibited. In one case reported in the press, a Lebanese scientist speaking at an international conference refused to answer a question from an Israeli colleague because to do so could have lead to his arrest when he returned home. Foreigners with Israel entry stamps in their passports can be refused entry to Lebanon. Israeli books are completely banned in Lebanon and Anne Frank's diary is banned because it supports the case for Israel. Of course, the fact that Israel makes an exception to allow book imports means nothing to those whose bias leads them to condemn everything Israel does. Nor do such people want us to know about the bigger picture if it puts Israel's actions in a positive light. Subsequently, in the past, the American Library Association has passed resolutions condemning Israel for censorship based on similar evidence and at the same time refused to consider resolutions addressing acts of terrorism directed at libraries and schools, even when ALA members have been victims. Even though I remain a staunch defender of progressive causes, I'm a skeptic when "progressives" try to address the Arab-Israeli conflict. I mention this in relation to the announced CFP from Progressive Librarian. If you look at the description in the entry at the attached link, the editors make it clear they are looking for papers critical of Israel, its policies or actions. Specifically, they are asking for articles describing ... how the occupation or a particular Israeli policy has made it difficult to provide information. For example, a paper might discuss the history of the confiscation of Palestinian archives, the history of the destruction of Palestinian libraries, restrictions on the import of books from “enemy states"... There is obviously no room in the "progressive" world for facts or narratives that challenge their prejudices. Why else are "progressives" silent about the comparative treatment of women, the LGBT community or non-Muslims in the Muslim world versus Israel? I wonder what someone studying their library experience honestly would write. The bias of this CPF is a professional journal is evident to me, but irrelevant to a community that assumes the worst of Israel. I'd encourage anyone with the knowledge and inclination to submit papers challenging this bias but I'm sure it would be a waste of time. The editors have already made it clear that their purpose is not to tell the whole story, only what will justify their biases. Lee Jaffe From: Hasafran <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: Bcc: Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2018 12:04:48 -0400 Subject: [ha-Safran] CFP: “Palestinian Libraries and Archives Under Israeli Rule” CFP: “Palestinian Libraries and Archives Under Israeli Rule” - Theme issue of Progressive Librarian Call for Papers Theme issue of Progressive Librarian “Palestinian Libraries and Archives Under Israeli Rule” The publication Progressive Librarian: A Journal for Critical Studies and Progressive Politics in Librarianship invites Palestinian information providers to submit papers for a special issue, “Palestinian Libraries and Archives Under Israeli Rule.” Papers accepted for this special issue may also be republished later in a book on this topic. More information: http://librarywriting.blogspot.com/2018/03/cfp-palestinian-libraries-and- archives.html
__ Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) ================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: [email protected] To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: https://lists.service.ohio-state.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: [email protected] Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.service.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html Earlier Listserver: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org -- Hasafran mailing list [email protected] https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran
