Minister Daniel Bahr, who is a junior member of the German government, feels Israel’s decision to declare Nobel Prize laureate persona non grata is a harsh exaggerated move.

While Bahr is quoted in a Dir Welt report criticizing Grass’ remarks, he feels Israel has taken its response too far.

The controversy surrounds the poem written by Grass entitled “What Must be Said” which states Israel is preparing to wipe out the people of Iran. Grass received a Nobel Prize for his literary efforts and is regarded as Germany’s most prominent writer.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)