There can be no peace in the Middle East unless Israel's right to exist is universally recognised, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said on Thursday in his address inaugurating the Turin Book Fair.
This year's edition of the fair, the first to be opened by an Italian head of state, has sparked controversy because it is commemorating Israel's 60th birthday with a celebration of its literature.
Napolitano's appearance at the event was sharply criticised by left-wing activists and pro-Palestinian groups who saw it as an endorsement of Israeli policiesand a betrayal of the Palestinian cause by the former communist.
The president responded to this criticism in his inaugural speech by stating that the right of Israel to exist ''can and must coincide with the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state''.
In regard to the book fair being used as a political battle ground, Napolitano observed that the cultural event ''must not be disturbed nor sidetracked by political disputes or opportunistic intrusions''.
''This fair is important because it offers a forum for dialogue and the exchange of views between cultures, schools of thought and creative experiences without imposing definitive limits and without preconceived conclusions,'' he added.
Security was tight for Napolitano's appearance at the fair but no serious violence was reported.
Last week, left-wing activists and pro-Palestinian groups staged a protest in downtown Turin at which Israeli and American flags were burned.
The Turin Book Fair, now in its 21st year, is the second biggest in Europe and last year attracted over 300,000 visitors.
