Algeria Shuts Down Major Publishing House Over a Book Titled "Jewish Algeria"
A book titled "Jewish Algeria" by author Hadia Bent Sahli has sparked widespread controversy in Algeria. Many Algerians condemned the book's content and title, considering it an affront to national identity, particularly in light of crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people.
Mohamed Aboelsoud 
The security authorities of Boumerdes province issued a decision to close the "Frantz Fanon" publishing house for six months, effective from January 14. The decision was attributed to the publication of a book deemed by authorities to undermine public security, threaten national identity, and promote hate speech.
The Book "Jewish Algeria" Triggers a Wave of Outrage
A book titled "Jewish Algeria" by author Hadia Bent Sahli has sparked widespread controversy in Algeria. Many Algerians condemned the book's content and title, considering it an affront to national identity, particularly in light of crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people. Despite the public outcry, several Algerian writers and intellectuals defended the book and its author, arguing that the decision violates freedom of expression and publishing.
Media Statements Add to the Debate
Algerian journalist and political activist Walid Kibir commented on the issue, noting that over 135,000 Algerian Jews left the country in 1962 for France and Israel. He added that the Algerian state has compensated these individuals, along with the "Pieds-Noirs," with approximately 35 billion euros since then, questioning the logic behind making such a decision now.
The Publishing House Denounces the Decision
The "Frantz Fanon" publishing house issued a statement condemning the closure decision, asserting that the intervention of security authorities and the provincial governor in a case pending before the judiciary is a violation of the law. The publishing house argued that this step suppresses freedom of expression and infringes on the role of publishers in addressing controversial intellectual issues..
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The Dimensions of the Case: Between Identity and Normalization
The controversy surrounding the book has expanded to include political and religious dimensions, with accusations of paving the way for cultural normalization with Israel. The debate remains ongoing in cultural and political circles, with opinions sharply divided between supporters and opponents of the decision.
