Thousands of people were told to evacuate the international book fair in Paris after a bomb threat was received.

This year's book fair gave special honor to Israel, because of the 60th anniversary of its independence. Israeli writers Amos Oz, A. B. Yehoshua, Aharon Appelfeld and others participated at the fair, and President Shimon Peres also paid a visit.

Arab countries including Lebanon, Yemen,, Tunisia and Morocco boycotted the fair because of the special honor given Israel.