ADL ALARMED AT TURKEY’S REPORTED INVESTIGATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DUAL ISRAELI AND TURKISH CITIZENSHIP
Update: (12/24/12) On December 22, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs released a statement denying media reports of an investigation
of Turkish Jews in connection to the “Flotilla Incident” stating that
there is “no basis” and that Turkey “cannot accept generalization
and presentation of allegations regarding possible perpetrators of
the incident in a way that targets the Turkish Jewish community who
are a part of our society and equal citizens of Turkey.”
New York, NY, December 18, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League
(ADL) today expressed alarm at news reports that Turkey’s National
Intelligence Organization is investigating individuals who may be
dual citizens of Israel and Turkey in connection to the Mavi Marmara
“Flotilla Incident” of 2010.
Various reports suggest that targets of the investigation are Jewish
without a thorough identification process and go on to mention that
the identities of those being investigated will be disclosed at a
later time.
In a letter to H. E. Namýk Tan, the Ambassador of Turkey to the United
States, ADL stressed that the vague allegations being reported may be
intimidating to the Turkish-Jewish community and could create a sense
of alarm for Turkish Jews who have felt protected by the government
in Turkey for centuries.
“Throughout Jewish history, similar tactics have fomented anti-Semitism
by publicly raising suspicions of Jewish dual loyalty in the minds
of fellow countrymen,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.
ADL also reiterated its call for an explanation on the validity of
the reports.
“If your government has information about specific individuals under
investigation, that should be disclosed immediately in order to
relieve any sense of uncertainty about the Turkish Jewish community
in general,” Mr. Foxman wrote. “If the news reports are unfounded or
misleading, an immediate and public clarification is needed.”
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading
organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services
that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.