Istanbul - Police Accost Sabbath Worshipers in Synagogue |
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News Source: IsraelNN
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interior of the Hemdat Israel Synagogue in Haydarpasa, on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus in Istanbul.Istanbul, Turkey - A Turkish newspaper reports that police burst into an Istanbul synagogue during Sabbath services and demanded worshipers’ ID’s.
The authorities raided the Hemdat Yisrael synagogue in Istanbul one Sabbath morning, the most crowded day of the week, and demanded that worshipers produce identification and proof of residence. Most worshipers did not have the required papers because of Sabbath restrictions, but were allowed to produce them at the conclusion of the Sabbath.
Leaders of several minority religious communities convened for an emergency meeting to discuss the worsening situation.
The Turkish Milliyet newspaper reported that the Muslim government in Turkey appears to be cracking down on non-Muslim minorities. The individual communities are not being permitted to have their own leaders; one person will be recognized by the government to represent all the minorities as one. As the Christian community outnumbers the Jewish one, it is expected that a Christian will serve as “Chief Rabbi.” This issue may have been resolved, however; see below.
In addition, Christian and Jewish children are being placed in separate non-Muslim public school classes. In Jewish schools, only Turkish citizens are allowed to be registered – preventing the son of a Jewish United States consul worker from studying in a Jewish school.
Rabbi Yitzchak Haleva, Chief Rabbi of Turkey, says it’s “much ado about nothing.” Speaking with Israeli media sources, Rabbi Haleva said that all misunderstandings had been resolved and that he himself will be running for re-election for the position of Chief Rabbi about two months from now. Regarding the mid-services Sabbath check of ID’s, Rabbi Haleva told Makor Rishon’s Yitzchak Hildesheimer that it was only a matter having to do with internal security.
A Turkish Jew quoted on Ynet did not sound confident, however: “Everyone here is apathetic, they are involved in their own business and their work - but we do feel that the situation has changed, even though it is being ignored. It is reminiscent of other periods in history…”
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Read Comments (31) — Post Yours »
1
Mar 07, 2010 at 06:32 PM Chaim Says:Report as Inappropriate
Turkey is becoming the new naughty boy on the block. Bolder and bolder by the day.
2
Mar 07, 2010 at 06:48 PM cp Says:Report as Inappropriate
The last comment is exactly right. It is just like other periods in history.
3
Mar 07, 2010 at 06:51 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
It's frightening that they don't recognize the warning signs and start making plans to run out of there!
4
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:00 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Jews of Turkey:
Don't listen to the Erev Rav "Chief Rabbi"! Get out now!
5
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:02 PM Baloney Says:Report as Inappropriate
The Rabbi does not believe one word he is saying. He doesn't want to scare the people but the facts are Turkey is no longer a "friend" of Israel and Jews.
6
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:06 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Mabe next time Danny Ayalon decides to dump on a foreighn ambassador (like he did a few weeks ago with the turkish amabassador by making him sit close to the floor while he lectured him in front of the tv cameras) he will stop and think about the consequences. Ayalon should beg mechila from every yid in Turkey for putting their lives at risk.
7
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:24 PM Joe Shmoe Says:Report as Inappropriate
Oy Vey! This sounds like by WWII !!! Where yiddin were put up to calm all the yiddin and to woo them into the gas chambers willingly! Hashem Yishmor! We need much much more good PR! Lets try to start here on VIN to stick up for other yiddin and to be very positive about yiddishkeit! that way we will at least be positive about ourselves and stick up for our brother, fellow yid. and hopefully when people will see how b'achdus we are, it will make a kiddush hashem ......... ENOUGH OF SLANDERING! IT ONLY WORKS AGAINST US ALL!
8
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:28 PM OMG Says:Report as Inappropriate
There are some parallels to the 1930’s in Nazi Germany; I hope that I am just paranoid.
9
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:28 PM Next Iran in the making Says:Report as Inappropriate
Turkey wa sa world power had the Ottoman empire until WW1, now this nutcase they voted in, is making it into a third world country, calling Hamas his Muslim brothers.
Thhey better vote him out soon b4 he ruins what is left.
I hope Obama arms the Kurds his Muslim brothers, it is time they get independance from Turkey Iran Iraq Seia & Azarbeigan, & take most of the Serian & a lot of the Iraqi & Iranian oil with them.
10
Mar 07, 2010 at 07:29 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Turkey is trying to score brownie points with the arabic countries in the region so that they position themselves as a leader of the Middle East once Iran, with potential global economic sanctions weighing upon them, is out of the picture leaving Turkey in the driver's seat with a powerful army and strong connections with Europe to boot.
That's why they made a 180 degree turnaround vis a vis Israel and now, as we see with their own Jewish citizens.
11
Mar 07, 2010 at 08:13 PM Loshon Hora Says:Report as Inappropriate
Maybe we should send the so called Palis back to Turkey he likes them so much he could have them.
12
Mar 07, 2010 at 09:12 PM Charlie Hall Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Mabe next time Danny Ayalon decides to dump on a foreighn ambassador (like he did a few weeks ago with the turkish amabassador by making him sit close to the floor while he lectured him in front of the tv cameras) he will stop and think about the consequences. Ayalon should beg mechila from every yid in Turkey for putting their lives at risk. ”
True!
Unfortunately it may now be necessary to get every Jew out of Turkey while the getting is good. I'm sure some anti-Zionist crazy will object, though. Just as they objected in 1938.
13
Mar 07, 2010 at 09:19 PM Follow the news much? Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Turkey is trying to score brownie points with the arabic countries in the region so that they position themselves as a leader of the Middle East once Iran, with potential global economic sanctions weighing upon them, is out of the picture leaving Turkey in the driver's seat with a powerful army and strong connections with Europe to boot.
That's why they made a 180 degree turnaround vis a vis Israel and now, as we see with their own Jewish citizens. ”
My brothers time to wake up and find out the real news. There's no "sanctions" happening against Iran. For sanctions there needs to be a 6 nation agreement. US, France, Germany, Brittain, Russia, China. Russia and China do not agree to "crippling" sanctions against Iran because of their oil and other financial reasons (besides for their covert desire of Israels destruction.) If there are any sanctions they will happen in a few months and they will be so pathetic that Iran will laugh in the USA's face. Stop being naive. Iran will stop at nothing to become a nuclear power. The only thing that can stop them is all out war from the US and Israel. We are running out of time on that as well.
14
Mar 07, 2010 at 09:36 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
This is exactly how it started in the 1900's in the other arab countries and later in the persian gulf countries.
Those that were smart started moving their businesses and money out right away.
Those that thought everything is fine were lucky to eventually get out with just the shirts on their backs.
Brothers in Turkey, learn from history and start moving out now while you can with what you have.
15
Mar 07, 2010 at 10:44 PM Paskunyak Says:Report as Inappropriate
Be Careful. Turkey will 'gobbel up' all its Jews like it did to the Armenians.
16
Mar 07, 2010 at 10:56 PM awacs Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ There are some parallels to the 1930’s in Nazi Germany; I hope that I am just paranoid. ”
To paraphrase I writer I like: you are being paranoid, but are you being paranoid *enough*?
17
Mar 08, 2010 at 02:11 AM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ There are some parallels to the 1930’s in Nazi Germany; I hope that I am just paranoid. ”
Germany in the '30s? You're exaggerating. There are no restrictions on Jews. But try moving your sights to Poland in the '30s. Now you're not so far off.
18
Mar 08, 2010 at 02:14 AM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ True!
Unfortunately it may now be necessary to get every Jew out of Turkey while the getting is good. I'm sure some anti-Zionist crazy will object, though. Just as they objected in 1938. ”
True? So you agree with second-guessing Ayalon's diplomacy, and think Israel should put up silently with whatever Turkey does, for the sake of not antagonising them further? I wonder, in that case, what you think of the Jewish boycott of Germany in the early '30s. It was very controversial at the time, as I'm sure you know.
19
Mar 08, 2010 at 06:40 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ True!
Unfortunately it may now be necessary to get every Jew out of Turkey while the getting is good. I'm sure some anti-Zionist crazy will object, though. Just as they objected in 1938. ”
The Jews of Turkey are wealthy businessmen and professionals who would be very welcome in the US, Canada, and Argentina among other places far more suited to their outlook and lifestyle than the medine. Many are eligible for immigration to the US or Canada as investors and should indeed take that route rather than ending up impoverished and destroyed in a medine that does not want or welcome them.
20
Mar 08, 2010 at 08:37 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Mabe next time Danny Ayalon decides to dump on a foreighn ambassador (like he did a few weeks ago with the turkish amabassador by making him sit close to the floor while he lectured him in front of the tv cameras) he will stop and think about the consequences. Ayalon should beg mechila from every yid in Turkey for putting their lives at risk. ”
Ayalon was 100% right. Experience has shown that the best way do discourage our enemies is to be tough with them. Appeasement NEVER works.
The best way to help the jews of Turkey would be to warn the Turks that any direct persecution of the jews would result in an immediate Cast Lead type operation
21
Mar 08, 2010 at 09:08 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ The Jews of Turkey are wealthy businessmen and professionals who would be very welcome in the US, Canada, and Argentina among other places far more suited to their outlook and lifestyle than the medine. Many are eligible for immigration to the US or Canada as investors and should indeed take that route rather than ending up impoverished and destroyed in a medine that does not want or welcome them. ”
Unfortunately most Turks are not eligible as investor immigrants because of the huge amounts of money it involves (over 500k plus creating a certain number of jobs for U.S. citizens.) Maybe for some of the uber wealthy in that kehillah but for the average Turk, the door to the U.S. is closed. No one in their right mind would immigrate to Argentina.
They're better off in the 'medine' than cowering in Turkey.
22
Mar 08, 2010 at 09:19 AM Charlie Hall Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Ayalon was 100% right. Experience has shown that the best way do discourage our enemies is to be tough with them. Appeasement NEVER works.
The best way to help the jews of Turkey would be to warn the Turks that any direct persecution of the jews would result in an immediate Cast Lead type operation ”
Turkey is a NATO member. An attack on Turkey would result in immediate war with 28 countries, including three nuclear powers. One of which is the United States. It would be the end of Israel.
23
Mar 08, 2010 at 09:21 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ True? So you agree with second-guessing Ayalon's diplomacy, and think Israel should put up silently with whatever Turkey does, for the sake of not antagonising them further? I wonder, in that case, what you think of the Jewish boycott of Germany in the early '30s. It was very controversial at the time, as I'm sure you know. ”
Yes. I totally disagree with Ayalan's lack of diplomacy and common sense as do just about all the intelligent observers of foreign policy in EY and worldwide. There are some am'hartzem who will say "EY is always right" whatever they do. For someone who so ardently supports German foreign policy in pre-War Europe, do you really believe EY should show the same arrogance towards the world as the Germans did??
24
Mar 08, 2010 at 09:39 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
The handwriting is on the wall. Hard line Muslims are taking over Turkey. THey arrested a few hundred Turkish officers who were planning a coup, so there goes the secularists. It is the trend in the World and Turkey will not escape it. Ikvisa D'meshicha.
25
Mar 08, 2010 at 11:52 AM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Turkey is a NATO member. An attack on Turkey would result in immediate war with 28 countries, including three nuclear powers. One of which is the United States. It would be the end of Israel. ”
What? You really think so? America launch a nuclear attack on Israel?
They can't handle Iraq. They can't handle Afghanistan. They were humiliated in Korea and Viet-Nam. Can you imagine America at war with Israel?
Show strength and they know you are strong. Show weakness and they know you are weak.
Which NATO country would go into a nuclear war with Israel? Which itself is a nuclear power. Come on.
26
Mar 08, 2010 at 12:52 PM Yankee Says:Report as Inappropriate
Turkish Jews, run while you can. If something like this happened here in America, it wouldn't be long before I'd be in the plane to E.Y.
27
Mar 08, 2010 at 01:59 PM ric Says:Report as Inappropriate
after ww1 attaturk saved turkey ,he dropped the fez,arabic scrript and power of Islam in society,the current goverment is a quiet counter revolution to the secular turkey attaturk created,the military has always defended seculat turkey and their leaders are being arrested now.the military wants to be in the e.u. and hesitates to take action,the e.u. is not taking turkey in regardless and the military should act before they face the problems irans military faced when the shah left.
28
Mar 08, 2010 at 06:55 PM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Turkey is a NATO member. An attack on Turkey would result in immediate war with 28 countries, including three nuclear powers. One of which is the United States. It would be the end of Israel. ”
No, it wouldn't. As usual, you are dishonest. The NATO treaty does not require members to go to war for each other. Should Turkey persecute its Jews, and should Israel take military action as a result of that persecution, there is no way that the USA or any other NATO member would come to Turkey's defense.
29
Mar 08, 2010 at 06:57 PM Milhouse Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Yes. I totally disagree with Ayalan's lack of diplomacy and common sense as do just about all the intelligent observers of foreign policy in EY and worldwide. There are some am'hartzem who will say "EY is always right" whatever they do. For someone who so ardently supports German foreign policy in pre-War Europe, do you really believe EY should show the same arrogance towards the world as the Germans did?? ”
1. Who supports German foreign policy in pre-War Europe?
2. You contradict yourself. If you think Ayalon did wrong, then you must also think the Jews who imposed the boycott on Germany were arrogant and brought on themselves the disaster that followed.
30
Mar 08, 2010 at 09:00 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
Re; to # 22. Your knowledge is overpowering .
31
Mar 09, 2010 at 01:27 PM Anonymous Says:Report as Inappropriate
“ Unfortunately most Turks are not eligible as investor immigrants because of the huge amounts of money it involves (over 500k plus creating a certain number of jobs for U.S. citizens.) Maybe for some of the uber wealthy in that kehillah but for the average Turk, the door to the U.S. is closed. No one in their right mind would immigrate to Argentina.
They're better off in the 'medine' than cowering in Turkey. ”
Canada has an easier immigration policy. The medine is not the place for the Turkish Jewish community, many of whom can indeed come up with the 500K to create a viable business in the US.