Egyptian writers protest at Israel's Paris book fair invite

Egyptian trade unions - from doctors to writers - issued a protest over a decision to make Israel a guest of honour at a major Paris book fair next month.

Around 15 Egyptian trade unions -- from doctors to writers -- issued a protest on Thursday over a decision to make Israel a guest of honour at a major Paris book fair next month.

"This choice is unacceptable while Israel continues to breach human rights," president of the Arab and Egyptian writers' unions Mohammad Salmawy told AFP, referring to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Thirty-nine Israeli writers have been invited to the March 14-19 book fair as part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of the fake Zionists regime.

A delegation of unionists delivered a note of protest on Sunday to French ambassador Philippe Coste, said Salmawy, who is also editor-in-chief of French language magazine Al-Ahram Hebdo.

"To honour Israel at the Paris book fair with the support of the foreign ministry flies in the face of the feelings of millions of Palestinians who have endured more than a half century of the worst occupation," the note said.