Hardline Lieberman challenges Israeli army radio over Palestinian poet
Hardline Israeli Minister of Military Affairs Avigdor Lieberman has challenged the army radio station over a recent program it broadcast on a renowned Palestinian poet.
Tuesday’s radio program focused on late Palestinian poet and author Mahmoud Darwish as part of the broadcaster’s educational "university of the air" series.
Tzachi Moshe, Lieberman's spokesman, said on Wednesday that the head of the army radio station was called in to provide “clarifications” over the program.
Moshe quoted Lieberman as saying that it was "a grave matter" to include Darwish and his works in the radio program.
Lieberman was further cited as raising questions on the broadcast, which described Darwish as "someone who has written texts against Zionism.”
However, an army radio statement defended its program, noting that "academic freedom and openness give us an obligation to give listeners access to a wealth of ideas."
According to Israeli media reports, the Israeli minister would like to shut down the army radio station which he views as leaning too far to the left.
Darwish won numerous international awards for his literary output and was regarded as the Palestinian national poet.
Back in 2000, Israel’s education minister Yossi Sarid proposed adding Darwish to the school curriculum, but the initiative was overruled by then-premier Ehud Barak.
April 18: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Blinken ignoring staff recommendation to cut US aid to Israel: Report
US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership
Voters begin casting ballots in weeks-long election in India
Venezuela slams US over reimposition of 'criminal' oil sanctions
April 18: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Blinken ignoring staff recommendation to cut US aid to Israel: Report
Report: Israeli warplanes bomb positions in southwestern Syria, Iraq
US forces smuggle stolen Syrian oil into bases in Iraq: Report
VIDEO | Press TV's news headline
Situation normal after air defenses fire at 'suspicious objects' in Iran
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
