DUBAI (Middle East Eye) – A number of writers from Persian Gulf countries are boycotting a cultural festival in the United Arab Emirates, viewing it as “a normalization with Israel festival”, according to the London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper.
A Kuwaiti cultural delegation, composed of writers, academics and intellectuals, including writers Muna al-Shamari and Ali Ashour al-Jaffar, announced its withdrawal from the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature due to the expected online appearance of Zionist writer David Grossman.
Omani writer Bushra Khalfan also announced her withdrawal from the festival, which will be held from 3 to 13 February.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement supported the writers’ decision to boycott, calling other Arab authors to withdraw due to Grossman’s participation.
Grossman’s participation is a “clear and explicit violation” of the cultural boycott of the Zionist regime, the BDS said.
While Grossman has demonstrated against the spread of settlements, the group highlighted his opposition to the right of return of Palestinian refugees.
“The participation of an Israeli Zionist novelist and the celebration of him as a ‘peace activist’ in a festival held in an Arab land” is a ruse to “pull Arab writers into the swamp of cultural and literary normalization with the Israeli enemy,” BDS said.