"you already had us at burning Jewish books, Mr. Hosni - when can you start?"

UPDATE 23/09/09: Irina Bokova, Bulgaria’s representative to UNESCO and Ambassador in Paris, won the final round of voting yesterday to become the next head of the organisation. Farouk Hosny’s anti-Semitic remarks were said to have ‘counted against him’, although Bokova’s bid was accompanied by an intense round of campaigning by Bulgaria.

An Egyptian minister who is seeking the top job at a major United Nations body has apologised for provocative statements he made attacking Israel, ahead of a crucial vote. Farouk Hosny, Egypt’s minister for culture, is seeking the post of director-general at the UN’s Educational Scientific and Cultural organisation, or UNESCO which is expected to be decided on Thursday.

Hosny issued a statement to the media in a bid to clarify controversial remarks regarding Israel as well as his support for the Palestinian cause.

In May 2008, 71 year-old Hosny is reported to have told an Egyptian parliamentarian that he would burn any Hebrew-language textbooks found in the library and cultural centre at Alexandria.

“I was expressing angry feelings at what is happening to an entire people deprived of its land and rights,” Hosny said referring to the Palestinian people, in the statement.

“What human conscience can be indifferent to such a tragedy?”

Hosny reiterated his support for the Palestinian people and the “suffering and injustice” they have suffered.

“I never, throughout my life, humiliated or meant to hurt anyone,” Hosny said.

“Although the words themselves are charged with extreme cruelty, they should be seen in context.

“I would also like to recall that for years I have been serving as minister of culture in a state that made peace with Israel and is persistently endeavouring to give precedence to dialogue over violence.”

While Hosny previously expressed regret over his comments, European and Israeli intellectuals such as Elie Wiesel and Bernard Henry-Levy have criticised his candidacy.

The government of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, withdrew its opposition to Hosny’s candidacy after a meeting with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in May.

But the US-based Anti-Defamation League issued an open letter on Monday urging UNESCO member states to reject Hosny’s candidacy.

“As Egyptian culture minister for over two decades, Mr. Hosni has a long history of expressing hostility toward Israeli culture and opposing cultural exchanges with Israel,” said the ADL in an open letter to UNESCO member states.

The league accused Hosny of stifling “cultural and intellectual freedom of expression.”

Hosny will face off against eight other candidates for the top job at UNESCO, replacing the current head of the organisation Koichiro Matsuura.

He said his candidacy was supported by the Arab League, the African Union and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

Hmmm.. burning Jewish books – sounds like he’ll definitely get the job to us.

[Main story: ADN KRONOS, Rome]

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