Alice Walker, author of the award-winning novel 'The Color Purple,' has reportedly refused translation rights of her book to an Israeli publisher, citing Israel as an 'apartheid state' with policies worse than the treatment of blacks in the southern United States and South Africa. This post will be updated with additional opinions throughout the day. Readers are welcome to contribute their comments.  The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel posted on its website a letter said to be from Walker, in which she notes: I would so like knowing my books are read by the people…