Despite an almost total boycott by its Islamic members, the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions convened its 66th general conference in Jerusalem, August 13–18. Organizers said a preliminary attendance figure of 1,800 numbered about 400 more than expected, and IFLA’s 250 meetings and events provided the profession’s major annual forum for the advancement of international library cooperation and exchange.
Keynote speaker Shlomo Avineri, professor of political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, filled in at the last minute for scheduled keynoter Shimon Peres, the former Israeli prime minister, who was called away on a diplomatic mission to China. Avineri reviewed the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict and concluded optimistically that the political climate in the Middle East has changed “from total war to dialogue.”
Palestinian librarians, however, sent a message to IFLA from their own Conference of the Arab Union, held simultaneously in Cairo to protest the Jerusalem conference, that condemned the federation and stated that it is “giving an explicit recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Holy City.” IFLA organizers maintain that the selection of Jerusalem as a conference site constitutes no political statement whatever.
Posted August 21, 2000.