Numerous international and local journalists from press as well as radio and TV channels have tried to contact the leadership of the Jewish Community of Turkey requesting information about anti-Semitism in Turkey; especially after the Gaza Panel in Davos where the Prime Minister of Turkey Mr. R. Tayyip Erdogan and the President of Israel Mr. Shimon Peres took part.

The distressing developments during the panel were of political concern according to Prime Minister Mr. R Tayyip Erdogan, as he had explained on his return. He had particularly expressed that the event had nothing to do with the Israeli People and Jews, especially Turkish Jews. Prime Minister Erdogan personally hushed the demonstrators chanting hate messages in order to calm them down. We appreciate the fact that during the following three days, some politicians not the least Prime Minister R. Tayyip Erdogan, personally articulated their views against committing anti-Semitic acts.

As the leadership of the Jewish Community of Turkey, we are, through personal contacts with some ministers and members of parliament, in communication with the government; and are able to express our worries or challenges in different issues. We are working to ensure that community premises and members are protected; together with the much appreciated close cooperation of the Police authorities.  The President of the Jewish Community of Turkey has expressed the mind-set and mood of the Turkish Jews in TV programs as well as newspaper interviews.

Following the ceasefire that we hope will be permanent in the Middle East, public demonstrations against Israel degenerating into anti-Semitic manifestations have decreased and numerous sensible and impartial journalists and intellectuals have accentuated that this is not a war of religions. Despite the above, at present there are unfortunately several TV programs with messages embedded with harshly anti-Semitic rhetoric.
 
We deeply value the scope and importance of the relations between Turkey and Israel and have noted that even some who do not approve of Israel’s policies have not abstained from seconding the above position. We would like to express our assurance that the very important and well established economical, military, agricultural, tourism as well as cultural relations between Turkey and Israel will not be stopped or even eroded because of some political actions or messages.

We believe that, in light of increased anti-Semitic rhetoric and hate speeches the Turkish Parliament will adopt the necessary legislative changes and the judiciary system will process such actions appropriately.  

The Jewish Community of Turkey