‘As a Jew, I’m happier in Turkey than I’d be in Israel’

[silko]

‘As a Jew, I’m happier in Turkey than I’d be in Israel’

İshak Alaton​

Prominent Turkish Jewish businessman İshak Alaton has said he couldn’t possibly lead a happier or a more fulfilling life than he enjoys in Turkey if he were to emigrate to Israel, speaking in an interview with a German radio station, news reports said on Friday.

Alaton spoke to a radio show aired on Radio Germany, during a program on the state of Turkey’s Jews and the recent tension between Turkey and Israel. The show’s host underlined that Alaton, who has long been respected for his democratic stance, is also admired for having donated $1 billion to charity efforts to fight famine in East Africa.

Being Jewish in Turkey has never felt like an extraordinary situation to Alaton. He said the crisis between Turkey and Israel certainly doesn’t make it easier for İstanbul’s 25,000-strong Jewish community to live together with Muslims, but noted that he does not have the least concern that the Jewish community will face pressure from the government. “This government is much more understanding toward minorities than any previous government. I remember the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, when we were referred to in legal texts as “foreigners” living here. Today, we are equal citizens of this country. Why should I be more worried now than yesterday?” Alaton said.

Alaton said he has no intention to migrate to Israel because of the crisis. “I can imagine there are segments of Israeli society that wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the Jewish community in Turkey in a difficult situation because of this crisis, because in that case, they could tell us, “come to Israel.” But this is certainly not the case for me. Israel is on the wrong track; the government is increasingly oppressive. I wouldn’t be happier there. The opposite would happen.”

In Alaton’s opinion, the partnership between Turkey and Israel prior to the crisis was not as strong as some make it out to have been. “The truth is coming out now, because the so-called great relationship between the two countries was based on military ties. Contact between the peoples was greatly neglected. The increasing alienation between the two nations was fanned by radical politicians such as Foreign Minister Liebermann, who uses every opportunity to express his hatred of all that is Turkish and Muslim. I’m afraid the relationship between the two countries is likely to deteriorate further than improve.”

Radio Germany said the first wave of Jewish migration to Turkey took place in 1492, when Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition regime arrived in Turkey. The radio program also noted that although Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had feelings of antipathy toward Israel, he pursues a policy based on Ottoman tolerance towards religious minorities.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-256200-as-a-jew-im-happier-in-turkey-than-id-be-in-israel.html

 

[RezRoll]

You're Turkish, Silko?

How is the reaction of the general Turkish population to ties being cut with Israel?

Anyway, after all the Jew bashing I've been witnessing here the past few days, it's good to see a positive article like this

 

[Mech]

Its not uncommon to see traitors in every society or community.

 

[westtowel]

‘As a Jew, I’m happier in Turkey than I’d be in Israel’

İshak Alaton​

Prominent Turkish Jewish businessman İshak Alaton has said he couldn’t possibly lead a happier or a more fulfilling life than he enjoys in Turkey if he were to emigrate to Israel, speaking in an interview with a German radio station, news reports said on Friday.

Alaton spoke to a radio show aired on Radio Germany, during a program on the state of Turkey’s Jews and the recent tension between Turkey and Israel. The show’s host underlined that Alaton, who has long been respected for his democratic stance, is also admired for having donated $1 billion to charity efforts to fight famine in East Africa.

Being Jewish in Turkey has never felt like an extraordinary situation to Alaton. He said the crisis between Turkey and Israel certainly doesn’t make it easier for İstanbul’s 25,000-strong Jewish community to live together with Muslims, but noted that he does not have the least concern that the Jewish community will face pressure from the government. “This government is much more understanding toward minorities than any previous government. I remember the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, when we were referred to in legal texts as “foreigners” living here. Today, we are equal citizens of this country. Why should I be more worried now than yesterday?” Alaton said.

Alaton said he has no intention to migrate to Israel because of the crisis. “I can imagine there are segments of Israeli society that wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the Jewish community in Turkey in a difficult situation because of this crisis, because in that case, they could tell us, “come to Israel.” But this is certainly not the case for me. Israel is on the wrong track; the government is increasingly oppressive. I wouldn’t be happier there. The opposite would happen.”

In Alaton’s opinion, the partnership between Turkey and Israel prior to the crisis was not as strong as some make it out to have been. “The truth is coming out now, because the so-called great relationship between the two countries was based on military ties. Contact between the peoples was greatly neglected. The increasing alienation between the two nations was fanned by radical politicians such as Foreign Minister Liebermann, who uses every opportunity to express his hatred of all that is Turkish and Muslim. I’m afraid the relationship between the two countries is likely to deteriorate further than improve.”

Radio Germany said the first wave of Jewish migration to Turkey took place in 1492, when Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition regime arrived in Turkey. The radio program also noted that although Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had feelings of antipathy toward Israel, he pursues a policy based on Ottoman tolerance towards religious minorities.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-256200-as-a-jew-im-happier-in-turkey-than-id-be-in-israel.html

Newspaper of the Anti - Israel Turkish Govt.

http://www.editorsweblog.org/newspaper/2004/10/turkey_usa_zaman_launches_dail.php

 

[Developereo]

‘As a Jew, I’m happier in Turkey than I’d be in Israel’

Be prepared for the usual trolls and Israeli apologists to flock to this thread...

 

[Selim I]

News from the Anti Israel Govt.

Zaman is not a government but an independet newspaper. If you can't see the difference, well thats ya' problem.

 

[laiqs@mi]

@ mesh
more loyal to king then king himself

 

[RezRoll]

Its not uncommon to see traitors in every society or community.

Newspaper of the Anti - Israel Turkish Govt

I think more than anything else, what this article wants to highlight is that conditions in Turkey are good enough for a Jew to stay there peacefully as equal citizens. The same can't be said for a lot of Muslim countries.

 

[Mech]

Zaman is not a government but an independet newspaper. If you can't see the difference, well thats ya' problem.

Propaganda is propaganda no matter who runs the outlet. Besides, the nation will always have some form of control over domestic news outlets. Especially, in a Muslim majority state and thats a fact.

 

[Selim I]

Propaganda is propaganda no matter who runs the outlet. Besides, the nation will always have some form of control over domestic news outlets. Especially, in a Muslim majority state and thats a fact.

How is it propoganda to highlight a Jew who says he is contend with Turkey, and would rather live there than a racist country like Israel? Those Indians who write in support of Israel here, does not have any clue about what is going on in Middle East. Just because you don't liek Pakistan, and just because Pakistan doesnt like Israel doesnt mean: Pakistan hates Israel = Israel is a paradise. Israel racially profiles passengers in airports and search all their bodies, if they are arabs. That is a disgrace. Not to mention their inhuman treatments of Gazans and West Banks, which are today open air prisons.

You must be critical towards their racial discrimination. Israel illegally occupies Palestinian lands and they treat Arabs like animals. It seems that centuries of colonisation has made u slaves of the West. You think of West like paradise, but the Western countries have all history of bloodsucking slave owners. And if you think the road ro success is through the West then you have no clue about contemporary economics. Capital is moving towards east, China especially is leading the locomotive, and they do i without a history of slavery and colonisation. As long as India can't voice their independent voice, and as long as you Indians in here, who lick Israel's @ss, you will never regain honor. With your caste system, you are already one of the most racist countries in the world. Everything in India is about class. You think soem of you are cool, just because you have fairer skin. How disgusting is that? And Indians in this forum proove just how dishonest and @sslicking your mentality is. I have yet to see one honest indian who defend teh rights of innocent palestinian children who die of hunger and illness. Get a grip of reality...

 

[AUz]

Its not uncommon to see traitors in every society or community.

"who" is a traitor here? Please do reply .....

 

[muse]

You're Turkish, Silko?

How is the reaction of the general Turkish population to ties being cut with Israel?

Anyway, after all the Jew bashing I've been witnessing here the past few days, it's good to see a positive article like this

Bashing Israeli policy and bashing Jewry is not the same thing. Israeli policy should be open to critical review and Jewry have longer history as citizens of countries other than Israel.

 

[Mech]

Unlike you, i have actually been to Israel. Israel is certainly a paradise (hell, its so much more than that) when you compare it with the neighbourhood. The stories about discrimination is just stupid propaganda spread by jobless Arabs. They have some of the nicest people you will ever see. Just because a few silly Arabs and goatherders spend time fantasising about the "collapse" of Israel spew venom about it all over the internet does NOT mean its an evil state.




About the checking, well what the hell are they supposed to do when surrounded by NATIONS that want Israeli blood? They retaliate when Arabs screw around with them......its not rocket science. You just reap what you sow.






About India, it does not feature in this discussion. There are numerous threads in this forum that demolish allegations you may have learned about it in your local madrassa.

 

[muse]

its not rocket science. You just reap what you sow.

Exactly -- sometimes it delayed, the reaping, but it is inevitable, not just for Israelis, but for all of us.

 

[Dalai Lama]

How is it propoganda to highlight a Jew who says he is contend with Turkey, and would rather live there than a racist country like Israel? Those Indians who write in support of Israel here, does not have any clue about what is going on in Middle East. Just because you don't liek Pakistan, and just because Pakistan doesnt like Israel doesnt mean: Pakistan hates Israel = Israel is a paradise. Israel racially profiles passengers in airports and search all their bodies, if they are arabs. That is a disgrace. Not to mention their inhuman treatments of Gazans and West Banks, which are today open air prisons.

You must be critical towards their racial discrimination. Israel illegally occupies Palestinian lands and they treat Arabs like animals. It seems that centuries of colonisation has made u slaves of the West. You think of West like paradise, but the Western countries have all history of bloodsucking slave owners. And if you think the road ro success is through the West then you have no clue about contemporary economics. Capital is moving towards east, China especially is leading the locomotive, and they do i without a history of slavery and colonisation. As long as India can't voice their independent voice, and as long as you Indians in here, who lick Israel's @ss, you will never regain honor. With your caste system, you are already one of the most racist countries in the world. Everything in India is about class. You think soem of you are cool, just because you have fairer skin. How disgusting is that? And Indians in this forum proove just how dishonest and @sslicking your mentality is. I have yet to see one honest indian who defend teh rights of innocent palestinian children who die of hunger and illness. Get a grip of reality...

Ehh... you may want to read up on India's stance on Palestine there genius. Here's a little article:

New Delhi: Five Arab envoys called on Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed here yesterday to express their appreciation for New Delhi’s stand on the Palestine issue.

The ambassadors of Palestine, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Tunisia specifically referred to the statements of support for Palestine made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh and Ahamed on various occasions.
The Indian leaders have reiterated that support for the Palestinian cause remained part of New Delhi’s foreign policy and while India considered its growing ties with Israel important, it would not be at the cost of its support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.

The envoys expressed appreciation for Ahamed’s visit to the Palestinian territory in September and the provision of medicines and other relief materials to the Palestinian people.

Ahamed, who also called on President Yasser Arafat during the visit, told the envoys that his visit was in keeping with India’s commitment to its decades-old policy of supporting the Palestinian cause.
He told them that India was doubling its contribution to the UN Relief and Work Agency, which is engaged in relief work in Palestinian areas, to $20,000.

You keyboard warriors seem to be good at one thing; drawing broad generalisations upon the peoples of an entire nation without knowing the first thing about it.

...And your're trying to give us a lecture on racism?