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Devletin Ornek Yurttaslari |
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This study focuses on the last half of the 20th century,
spanning the 53 year period between the first fully democratic transfer of
political power in Turkey-the Democratic Party electoral victory on May 14,
1950-to the two synagogue attacks in in Istanbul on November 15, 2003. Turkey's
Jewish community entered this period with much optimism, fed up with as it was
with the Republican People's Party and the authoritarian and discriminatory
policies that had characterized its nearly three decades in power, but the mood
of optimism and joy has over the decades-and especially in the wake of the
synagogue attacks--turned to one of anger, irritation and concern. What were
the principal difficulties and problems that this community has faced over this
53-year period? How-if at all--have they been able to contend with them, and
with what results? How has the Turkish public and polity responded to the Arab-Israeli
conflict, the Palestinian Question and the various regional wars that have
occurred during this period, and how has been manifested in the country's
attitude toward and treatment of its Jewish community? Why after having
followed for more than six decades a policy of "invisibility", staying far from
the public and political spheres in order to live largely undisturbed, did the
leadership of the Jewish community opt to establish the Quincentennial
Foundation and become "visible"? What was the purpose of this institution? Why
did this leadership suddenly choose to involve itself actively and publicly in
the "Armenian Genocide" issue? What were the social, political and economic
conditions that both allowed and caused prominent community members to take on
crucial roles-including honorary ambassadorships--in Turkey's foreign relations?
Why has Turkey's establishment chosen its Jewish community to hold up as "model
citizens"? This study will attempt, on the basis of thorough research in the
archives and press in both Turkey and abroad, to answer these questions.
From The Media
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Newsweek
