Scourge in Anti-Semitism Force Many Turkish Jews to Leave for Spain
Turkish Jews aren’t feeling safe in their home country, anti-Semitism is on the rise, but they aren’t moving to Israel or the United States, but rather they’re seeking refugee in Spain.
The spike in anti-Semitism has caused the aging community to shrink by more than a third in the last quarter century. Many have linked the hate to anti-Israel sentiment which reached a crescendo during Israel’s summer war against Hamas. Turkey’s President, Tayyip Erdogan compared Israel’s assault on Palestinians to “genocide” and “Hitler’s barbarism.”
He drew distinctions between Israel and Turkish Jews, yet his words helped stoke outrage, and local Jews were threatened by public figures and pro-government newspapers.
Turkey’s Jews, most of whose ancestors sought refugee here from the Spanish Inquisition, are on edge. Their school and synagogues are behind security tunnels, shielded by steel blast protection.
“They have lived in a state of fear for a long time after terror attacks and the feeling that they are not treated as Turkish citizens. There is worry for the younger generation,” said Ohad Kaynar, Israel’s deputy consul general.
And now, they feel as if the time to leave the country has finally come. In an interview with the New York Times, a Sephardic Jew, identified by a first name only for fears of Turkish retaliation, said that a crossword puzzle filled with hate had him make his decision.
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The irony is simply palatable!
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