Annalena Benini, director of the upcoming Turin Book Fair, said Thursday she disagreed with recently freed Egyptian Bologna University graduate Patric Zaki after he called Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu a serial killer but would not stop him from presenting his new book.
"I totally disagree with some of Patrick Zaki's comments, which have puzzled me and also greatly pained me, but that is not why I can imagine taking away the floor from a book presentation: I respect the commitments made with publishers and I do not dispose of other people's freedom of opinion.
"The Salone, and Turin for its shining tradition and identity, offer the floor and the encounter, they do not silence it".
She added: "We totally respect the adherence to the day of fasting and prayer of the dear friends of the Arsenal of Peace, who have accepted the appeal of the Patriarch of Jerusalem".
Zaki, who was recently freed from detention in Egypt on subversion charges, called Netanyahu a serial killer for his allegedly homicidal policies towards the Palestinians while condemning Hamas's attack on Israel.
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