תגובות לפרשת הצבת "הפרוטוקולים של זקני ציון"

במוזיאון כתבי היד של ספריית אלכסנדריה במצרים

בעקבות פרסום MEMRI בדבר הצבת הספר "הפרוטוקולים של זקני ציון" במוזיאון לכתבי יד של ספריית אלכסנדריה[1], התפרסמה הודעה מטעם מנהל הספרייה, ד"ר אסמאעיל סראג אל-דין, על סילוק הספרים וקבע כי הצבתם לתצוגה היתה משגה. ד"ר אסאמעיל סראג אל-דין, מסר בתגובתו:[2]

"Recent press reports concerning the presence of the first Arabic translation of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in an exhibition in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina deserve a prompt and clear reply. Preliminary investigation determined that the book was briefly displayed in a showcase rotating samples of curiosities and unusual items in our collection. The book was never displayed alongside the Jewish Torah nor has it ever been stated that it is a holy book or the basis for a Jewish constitution. The book is a well-known 19th century fabrication to foment anti-Jewish feelings.

"The book was promptly withdrawn from public display, but its very inclusion shown bad judgment and insensitivity, and an administrative hearing is underway to determine whether further action is to be taken.

"The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is profoundly committed to its role as a center of learning and a place promoting tolerance, dialogue and understanding between peoples, cultures and civilizations. We are honored to work with distinguished international partners in promoting these universal ideals".

בכתבה של סוכנות הידיעות AP בנושא, התבטא גם מנהל מוזיאון כתבי היד בספריה, ד"ר יוסף זידאן, שהיה זה שהחליט על הצגת "הפרוטוקולים". ד"ר זידאן אמר שהתערוכה שכללה את "הפרוטוקולים" היתה פתוחה רק לחוקרים והוסיף:

“My professional view is that it is a silly book... Its only significance is that it is the first Arabic edition of the book that has influenced the Arab mentality to a great extent."

עוד הוסיף ד"ר זידאן שהויטרינה שהציגה את "הפרוטוקולים" כללה גם "ספרים פוליטיים שנאסרו, כמו גם ספרים קונטרוברסאלים וספרים שהוחרמו."[3]

בהמשך, פרסם ד"ר זידאן הודעה מסודרת באתר האינטרנט האישי שלו ובה הכחיש מכל וכל את ההתבטאויות שיוחסו לו על ידי כתבת "אל-אסבוע":[4]

“Suddenly, an absurd issue arose. An issue that is not related to this [web-]site, or to the thousand papers that I have published during the last two decades in my books and researches. It concerns an incident that took place during my work at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The story began with an article in an Egyptian newspaper, al-Usbu‘, two weeks ago (on november17th, 2003), which alleged quoting from me utterly senseless statements intertwining facts with fancies. A month before, a journalist from the aforementioned newspaper interviewed me concerning the recent refurbishment of the manuscript and rare book museum. I handed her a written statement, as was the case with other journalists who covered the same news. Although, she concluded her article with my exact words, she started it with fabricated, groundless lies. She falsely reported me saying that I placed an edition of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion at the center of the museum alongside the Jewish Torah and divine books. Moreover, she claimed that I told her that this book is more significant then the Torah. To add insult to injury, she said, 

After placing the book in the museum, many questions suggest themselves strongly, inter alia: why is it placed in the showcase dedicated to divine books? And whether the museum’s administration would be able to stand in the face of the expected Jewish objection?”…

On my part, I would like to maintain to the visitors of ziedan.com that the Protocols is a racist, silly, fabricated book. Perhaps, I should consider more thoroughly the Jewish issue on the academic level and furnish my vision of the interaction of religions. As civilized people, we totally renounce racism and call for tolerance and constructive interaction between people. We believe that fundamentalism would lead to the eclipse of civilization, while tolerance ushers the way to enlightenment. This is to be the subject of a meticulous study that will appear on the site in the near future.”