The Israeli stand at the Moscow International Book Fair drew the largest crowds when the bi-annual event opened Tuesday, but Israeli publishers complained that a number of their books were confiscated by the authorities at the fair which the Soviets are promoting as “Books for Peace and Progress.”
One Israeli, Amos Rolnik, said that about 20 different titles in the Russian language were removed from his planned display. He said they included a guide book and 2,000 copies of a poster providing a simple introduction to the Hebrew language.
But another Israeli publisher, Matalon Yael, said the confiscations were insignificant compared to the 7,000 books on display at the Israeli stand.
Publisher representatives from several other non-Communist countries reported confiscations, but far fewer than in past years. According to Mikhail Nenashev, head of the government’s Publishing Committee, who organized the fair, the only books banned were “racist, fascist or pornographic literature.”
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