Politics
15:41 28/07/2009
Why Don’t Jews Condemn Anti-Semitism in Turkey?
Rifat Bali, a Jewish scholar and a native of Istanbul, has been investigating anti-Semitism in Turkey for many years. He has authored several books and articles on the history of Turkish Jews. His most recent book, “The Jews of Turkey and the Armenian Genocide,” is a monumental work that documents how the Turkish government pressured not only Turkish Jews, but also the Israeli government and American-Jewish organizations, to lobby against congressional resolutions on the Armenian Genocide.
Turkey’s blackmail of Jews in and out of Turkey is not news to our readers. Neither is the fact that there has been widespread anti-Semitism in Turkey for decades, if not centuries. In a lengthy article published in July by the Institute for Global Jewish Affairs in Jerusalem, Mr. Bali meticulously documents the fact that such racist attitudes are held by practically the entire spectrum of Turkish society.
In his article, “Present-day Anti-Semitism in Turkey,” Mr. Bali summarizes his analysis in four key points:
• “Turkish intellectuals have always taken a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli stance. Islamists associate the ‘Palestine question’ with alleged Jewish involvement in the rise of Turkish secularism. Leftists see Israel as an imperialist state and an extension of American hegemony in the Middle East. Comparable themes are found among nationalist intellectuals.
• “Turkish reactions to Israel's 2006 war in Lebanon and 2009 war in Gaza often spilled over into anti-Semitism. Newspaper columnists, some of them academics, belonging to the various ideological streams helped fan popular sentiment against Israel and Jews. Israel was said to be exploiting Holocaust guilt and the services of the ‘American Jewish lobby’ to further its own nefarious aims.
• “Turkish approaches to the ‘Palestine question’ rarely venture outside the clichés of Turkish popular culture. Turkish publishing houses providing translated works on the issue are careful not to run afoul of popular sentiment. The net result is that both Turkish columnists and their readers utilize only limited sources on the conflict that are preponderantly anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic.
• “Any attempt by the Turkish Jewish leadership to confront Turkish society on combating anti-Semitism is likely to backfire and even further exacerbate the problem. Given this reality, the only options left for Turkey's Jewish community are to either continue living in Turkey amid widespread anti-Semitism or to emigrate.”
Mr. Bali documents his assertions by quoting from dozens of anti-Semitic statements published in various Turkish newspapers in recent years. Here are some examples:
-- Toktamış Ateş, professor of political science at Istanbul and Istanbul Bilgi universities, newspaper columnist, and a prominent intellectual who frequently appears on TV, described Jews as “the first and most racist people in history.” (Bugün, July 20, 2006).
-- Ayhan Demir, a commentator for the Islamist Millî Gazete, wrote: “The first thing to be done to achieve the security of Istanbul and Jerusalem is to get rid of, in as short a time as possible, this ‘shanty town’ that has begun to harm humanity on the entire face of the earth, and which is as offensive to the heart as to the eye. To send the occupiers to the garbage heap of history, together with their bloody charlatanism would be one of the most noble acts that could be realized in the name of humanity. A world without Israel would be, without a doubt, a much more peaceful and secure world.” (Millî Gazete, December 30, 2008).
-- Nuh Gönültaş, a well-known columnist, said Hitler was justified in his treatment of the Jews, since “the state of Israel is an even greater tyrant than Hitler.” (Bugün, August 1, 2006).
-- The Islamist sociologist Ali Bulaç, a well-known columnist for Zaman, described Gaza as “a concentration camp that in reality surpasses the Nazi camps.” (Zaman, December 29, 2008).
It is simply astonishing that Israeli officials and Jewish leaders worldwide hardly ever react, at least not publicly, to such widespread and vicious anti-Semitic outbursts in Turkey. Why is Rifat Bali resigned to the fact that “the only options left for Turkey's Jewish community are to either continue living in Turkey amid widespread anti-Semitism or to emigrate?” This is a fundamental question that Jews themselves should answer!
By keeping quiet, Jewish leaders are simply encouraging Turkish commentators to continue making racist and insulting remarks. If Israel’s President Shimon Peres and ADL’s National Director Abraham Foxman were not so busy denying the Armenian Genocide, they would perhaps spend more of their time fighting anti-Semitism!
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Turkey’s blackmail of Jews in and out of Turkey is not news to our readers. Neither is the fact that there has been widespread anti-Semitism in Turkey for decades, if not centuries. In a lengthy article published in July by the Institute for Global Jewish Affairs in Jerusalem, Mr. Bali meticulously documents the fact that such racist attitudes are held by practically the entire spectrum of Turkish society.
In his article, “Present-day Anti-Semitism in Turkey,” Mr. Bali summarizes his analysis in four key points:
• “Turkish intellectuals have always taken a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli stance. Islamists associate the ‘Palestine question’ with alleged Jewish involvement in the rise of Turkish secularism. Leftists see Israel as an imperialist state and an extension of American hegemony in the Middle East. Comparable themes are found among nationalist intellectuals.
• “Turkish reactions to Israel's 2006 war in Lebanon and 2009 war in Gaza often spilled over into anti-Semitism. Newspaper columnists, some of them academics, belonging to the various ideological streams helped fan popular sentiment against Israel and Jews. Israel was said to be exploiting Holocaust guilt and the services of the ‘American Jewish lobby’ to further its own nefarious aims.
• “Turkish approaches to the ‘Palestine question’ rarely venture outside the clichés of Turkish popular culture. Turkish publishing houses providing translated works on the issue are careful not to run afoul of popular sentiment. The net result is that both Turkish columnists and their readers utilize only limited sources on the conflict that are preponderantly anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic.
• “Any attempt by the Turkish Jewish leadership to confront Turkish society on combating anti-Semitism is likely to backfire and even further exacerbate the problem. Given this reality, the only options left for Turkey's Jewish community are to either continue living in Turkey amid widespread anti-Semitism or to emigrate.”
Mr. Bali documents his assertions by quoting from dozens of anti-Semitic statements published in various Turkish newspapers in recent years. Here are some examples:
-- Toktamış Ateş, professor of political science at Istanbul and Istanbul Bilgi universities, newspaper columnist, and a prominent intellectual who frequently appears on TV, described Jews as “the first and most racist people in history.” (Bugün, July 20, 2006).
-- Ayhan Demir, a commentator for the Islamist Millî Gazete, wrote: “The first thing to be done to achieve the security of Istanbul and Jerusalem is to get rid of, in as short a time as possible, this ‘shanty town’ that has begun to harm humanity on the entire face of the earth, and which is as offensive to the heart as to the eye. To send the occupiers to the garbage heap of history, together with their bloody charlatanism would be one of the most noble acts that could be realized in the name of humanity. A world without Israel would be, without a doubt, a much more peaceful and secure world.” (Millî Gazete, December 30, 2008).
-- Nuh Gönültaş, a well-known columnist, said Hitler was justified in his treatment of the Jews, since “the state of Israel is an even greater tyrant than Hitler.” (Bugün, August 1, 2006).
-- The Islamist sociologist Ali Bulaç, a well-known columnist for Zaman, described Gaza as “a concentration camp that in reality surpasses the Nazi camps.” (Zaman, December 29, 2008).
It is simply astonishing that Israeli officials and Jewish leaders worldwide hardly ever react, at least not publicly, to such widespread and vicious anti-Semitic outbursts in Turkey. Why is Rifat Bali resigned to the fact that “the only options left for Turkey's Jewish community are to either continue living in Turkey amid widespread anti-Semitism or to emigrate?” This is a fundamental question that Jews themselves should answer!
By keeping quiet, Jewish leaders are simply encouraging Turkish commentators to continue making racist and insulting remarks. If Israel’s President Shimon Peres and ADL’s National Director Abraham Foxman were not so busy denying the Armenian Genocide, they would perhaps spend more of their time fighting anti-Semitism!
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:
Newsfeed
17:08
Misappropriation at ANIF also uncovered by State Property Management Committee
At least three criminal cases have been initiated over corruption-related abuses at the Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF), two of which...
Source Panorama.am
16:36
Yerevan to host 'unprecedented' tourism exhibition in April
The ITF Armenia 2025 International Tourism Exhibition will take place at Yerevan's Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex...
Source Panorama.am
16:06
Azerbaijan seeks to obstruct constitutional reforms in Armenia, MP claims
A senior pro-government lawmaker on Tuesday described the Azerbaijani government's demand for Armenia to amend its constitution as...
Source Panorama.am
15:35
Armenian rescuers free 914 stranded cars in one day
The Crisis Management Centers of Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, Lori, Syunik, Shirak and Tavush Provinces received reports...
Source Panorama.am
15:10
Producer says won't use Hayat Project resources in Gyumri election race
Producer Ruben Mkhitaryan has denied any plans to use the public resources of Hayat Project, a band founded by him, while campaigning for the...
Source Panorama.am
14:35
Armenian, Russian parliament speakers discuss bilateral ties
Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan on Tuesday held a phone call with Speaker of Russia's Federation Council Valentina...
Source Panorama.am
14:16
MP: Azerbaijan repeats demands to Armenia almost daily
Azerbaijan discusses various issues in negotiations with Armenia but avoids addressing the key provisions that have not been agreed upon,...
Source Panorama.am
13:35
Temps to rise across Armenia
Snow is forecast for some parts of Armenia on Tuesday evening, Wednesday, Thursday and over the weekend.
Icy roads and strong...
Source Panorama.am
13:13
Roman Trotsenko, son hit by UK sanctions
The UK on Monday announced its largest package of sanctions against Russia since the early days of the war in Ukraine in 2022, targeting 67...
Source Panorama.am
12:35
Researchers identified 43 new insect species in Armenia
Researchers have identified 43 insect species in Armenia for the first time and 10 that have been described as entirely new to science, the...
Source Panorama.am
12:03
Hovhannes Ishkhanyan renounces his ECHR victory
Writer, journalist and film director Hovhannes Ishkhanyan has declined the €6,000 compensation awarded to him by the European Court of...
Source Panorama.am
11:35
Hostile UNGA resolutions hardly contribute to Ukrainian settlement, Rubio says
Hostile resolutions of the UN General Assembly do not help settle the conflict in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an...
Source Panorama.am
11:15
Armenian blogger detained in Belarus over Azerbaijani complaints returns to Yerevan
An Armenian blogger, Bella Babakhanyan, has returned to Armenia after being detained in Belarus for 14 days, The Armenian Report said....
Source Panorama.am
11:00
Armenian FM, ICRC chief meet in Geneva
On February 24, within the framework of the working visit to Geneva, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with Mirjana...
Source Panorama.am
10:27
ARARAT Bourbon Cask. Yerevan Brandy Company Presents New Limited Series
ARARAT Bourbon Cask is yet another innovation of Yerevan Brandy Company – an 8-year-old Armenian brandy, produced according to all the...
Source Panorama.am
17:11
Armenian, Iranian FMs meet in Geneva
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Monday....
Source Panorama.am
17:01
MP urges international community to respond to Edgar Ghazaryan's free speech violation
Non-partisan MP Taguhi Tovmasyan calls on the international community to respond to the restriction of opposition figure Edgar Ghazaryan’s...
Source Panorama.am
16:35
Political analyst accuses French envy of lying about Karabakh
Political analyst Suren Surenyants has accused French Ambassador to Armenia Olivier Decottignies of lying about Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in a...
Source Panorama.am
15:57
Russian-Armenian comedian on EU sanctions list
Russian-Armenian comedian and TV host Mikhail Galustyan has been included in the 16th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
The 16th...
Source Panorama.am
15:16
Temps to rise in Armenia from Tuesday
Dry weather is expected in Armenia's regions on Monday, Tuesday night, Friday and Saturday.
Snow is forecast for some parts of...
Source Panorama.am
14:36
7 planets to align this week
The last week of February holds a special celestial treat in store for astronomers and amateur stargazers. Mercury will become the seventh...
Source Panorama.am
14:15
Armenian expert: Europe undergoing radical changes
Political analyst Ara Poghosyan claims that Europe is undergoing radical transformation.
“The concept of united Europe will soon...
Source Panorama.am
13:45
Incendiary device explodes outside Russian Consulate in Marseille
An incendiary device exploded outside the Russian Consulate in Marseille early Monday, authorities said, on the third anniversary of...
Source Panorama.am
13:30
AYF D.C. Chapter protests outside Azerbaijani Embassy
The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Washington D.C. “Ani” Chapter, along with community members, on Saturday gathered outside...
Source Panorama.am
13:09
ICRC: 429 Armenians still missing in relation to escalations in 2020-2023
During 2024, around 1,290 calls and individual visits were received at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) offices in Yerevan...
Source Panorama.am
12:46
Armenian MP: Baku seems to be in a 'wait-and-see mode'
Azerbaijan appears to have adopted a “wait-and-see” stance in peace treaty negotiations with Armenia, opposition MP Tigran...
Source Panorama.am
12:16
European leaders visit Ukraine to mark 3rd war anniversary
A dozen leaders from Europe and Canada visited Ukraine’s capital Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion in a show...
Source Panorama.am
12:04
Ruben Mkhitaryan promises to solve stray dog problem in Gyumri
Famous producer Ruben Mkhitaryan, who has announced a run for mayor of Gyumri, has promised to solve the stray god problem in Armenia's...
Source Panorama.am
11:36
Sham trial of Artsakh leaders postponed in Azerbaijan
The show trial of Artsakh's military and political leaders, along with other Armenian captives, has been postponed in Azerbaijan....
Source Panorama.am
11:26
Drivers warned about icy roads in Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers about road closures and icy conditions in Armenia.
The road from the Jermuk intersection to the...
Source Panorama.am
Videos

17:35 20/02/2023
Armenian expert: U.S. stance on Karabakh remains unchanged

13:59 09/02/2023
Premature births increase in Artsakh due to stress

12:43 09/01/2023
Snow-covered Yerevan

15:41 15/12/2022
Gegham Stepanyan calls for sanctions against criminal Azerbaijan

11:45 29/11/2022
Memorial plaque honoring Yeghishe Charents inaugurated in Yerevan