Jewish organizations in U.S. concerned over anti-Semitism outburst in TurkeyJanuary 23, 2009 - 14:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Five leading Jewish organizations in the United States sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling on him to "urgently address the current wave of anti-Semitism" in Turkey.The letter was signed by the leaders of the American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs. "Turkey rightly prides itself on many centuries of coexistence with Jews. But today, our Jewish friends in Turkey feel besieged and threatened," the organizations said. "Billboards around Istanbul are full of anti-Jewish propaganda posters. The door of a Jewish-owned shop near Istanbul University was covered with a poster that said, 'Do not buy from here, since this shop is owned by a Jew.' The defacing of an Izmir synagogue has brought about the temporary closure of all but one of that city's synagogues," the letter said. The organizations pointed out to a connection between "the inflammatory denunciation of Israel by Turkish officials and the rise of anti-Semitism". They said they disagree with the Turkish government's views of the situation in Gaza and with some of Erdogan's harsh statements. "We should certainly agree, however, that such differences of opinion do not justify any display of anti-Semitism in Turkey or elsewhere," the letter said. In 2005, Erdogan received an award from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on behalf of Turkish diplomats who saved Jews during the Holocaust. He strongly condemned anti-Semitism as he accepted the the award presented by Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. Erdogan said last Friday that Israel should be barred from the United Nations while it ignores the body's calls to stop fighting in Gaza. "How is such a country, which totally ignores and does not implement resolutions of the UN Security Council, allowed to enter through the gates of the UN (headquarters)?" he said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |