Words of the Week: Paul Auster

Whatever the Prime Minister might think about the state of Israel, the fact is that free speech exists there and no writers or journalists are in jail. According to the latest numbers gathered by International PEN, there are nearly one hundred writers imprisoned in Turkey, not to speak of independent publishers such as Ragip Zarakolu, whose case is being closely watched by PEN Centers around the world. All countries are flawed and beset by myriad problems, Mr. Prime Minister, including my United States, including your Turkey, and it is my firm conviction that in order to improve conditions in our countries, in every country, the freedom to speak and publish without censorship or the threat of imprisonment is a sacred right for all men and women.

Paul Auster, in response to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Source: The New York Times.

2 thoughts on “Words of the Week: Paul Auster

    1. Erika Dreifus says:

      I agree. Via The Jewish Journal, I’ve just read an interesting article about Auster (w/more about his views on Israel, and also background on his friendship with David Grossman): http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=2047

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