H.E. Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sylvia Abu Laban, hosted at the Embassy premises in Sarajevo a cultural seminar and official launch and signing ceremony of the book “Palestine, Israel and Global Silence” by renowned writer and intellectual Professor Mustafa Spahić, in cooperation with the publishing house “Dobra Knjiga.”
The event witnessed a distinguished and high-level diplomatic and cultural attendance, along with notable media coverage. Among the attendees were the Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Ambassador of Libya Mr. Ahmed Ben Ghali, the President of the Palestinian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr. Majed Ma’rouf, as well as a prominent group of writers, intellectuals, academics, Arab and foreign diplomats, and friends of Palestine in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The ceremony was opened by the host, Ms. Aldijana Neiroukh, who welcomed the guests, followed by the Palestinian and Bosnian national anthems.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Abu Laban expressed her pride in hosting this event, describing it as an important intellectual, national, and moral milestone. She emphasized that the book goes beyond describing the tragedy, as it directly addresses its core, namely the double standards of international norms and the troubling silence in the face of the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Ambassador Abu Laban further stated that what Palestine is experiencing is not a temporary crisis, but rather a war of destruction targeting both people and place. She expressed her deep appreciation to the author for his clear commitment to justice and human dignity. During her remarks, she also conveyed the greetings of the Governor of Jerusalem, Mr. Adnan Ghaith, noting his inability to attend due to restrictions imposed on him by the occupation, including house arrest.
Via video conference, the Advisor to the Governor of Jerusalem, Mr. Ma’rouf Al-Rifai, highlighted that Jerusalem is facing systematic violations targeting its identity and existence. He presented figures indicating a sharp increase in forced demolitions, noting that more than 400 demolition operations took place in 2025, and over 147 demolitions were recorded in the first quarter of 2026, particularly in Silwan and the surroundings of Al-Aqsa Mosque. He warned that, alongside these policies, the most dangerous factor remains international silence.
The programme also featured critical readings and analytical interventions delivered by three distinguished scholars and thinkers: Mr. Hajrudin Somun, Mr. Osman Softić, and Dr. Jahja Muhasilović, who shed light on the dimensions of the international stance and the issue of double standards. In addition, the Director of the publishing house, Mr. Izedin Šikalo, delivered a welcoming speech emphasizing the importance of this courageous intellectual work.
In his remarks, the author Professor Mustafa Spahić described his book as a cry against silence and a moral and humanitarian duty, stressing that Palestine represents a cause of justice and a moral test for the entire world. He also recalled the deep historical and emotional ties between the Bosnian and Palestinian peoples in their shared journey of resilience.
It is worth noting that the proceeds from the book sales will go towards supporting the resilience of Jerusalem residents, particularly the families of Silwan who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.
At the conclusion of the event, commemorative shields and certificates of appreciation were presented to the author, the publisher, and the three speakers by H.E. Ambassador Sylvia Abu Laban and the Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Ambassador Ahmed Ben Ghali, in recognition of their valuable contributions. The event concluded with official group photographs and a book signing ceremony.
