EIBF condemns raids on Palestinian bookshops

Photo: CCTV shows Israeli police raiding the Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem

On the 9th of February, Israeli police raided the Palestinian-owned bookshop Educational Bookshop in East Jerusalem, arresting and detaining two of its owners overnight, booksellers Mahmoud Muna and his nephew Ahmed Muna, according to media reports.

The Educational Bookshop has been an iconic venue and cultural hub for decades, providing access to a wide range of books both in English and Arabic, promoting diversity, the circulation of knowledge, and freedom of speech. The bookshop is also considered to be key in maintaining the vibrancy of Palestinian intellectual and cultural life amidst tense political circumstances. With its three store locations, it stands as an established value in the local Jerusalem community, with a customer base including readers of diverse religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

EIBF's Freedom of Expression Charter stands as a declaration of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights of booksellers and the vital role they play in ensuring that knowledge remains free and accessible to all. Furthermore, our recent Industry Insights research paper highlights the critical role bookshops play in fostering an environment where diverse ideas can thrive, contributing to cultural and intellectual exchange across borders.

You can download the full statement from EIBF below.