Middle East Mediterranean

An ELIAMEP Report

May-August 2013 3/2

Media in Turkey Giorgos Tzogopoulos Turkey Facing the

Future Erdogan, Islam and Halki Evangelos Venetis Politics in a Dynamic Society The Jews of

Turkey Gabriel Haritos

Turkey’s Test with Democracy

Senem Cevik

The Future of Monotheistic

Minorities in Turkey Lakis Vingas Monitoring the Middle East

Middle East Mediterranean

Editorial Team ______

Evangelos Venetis, Editor in Chief, The Middle East Research Project, ELIAMEP

Evangelos Tembos, Research Associate, ELIAMEP

George Tzogopoulos, Web Editor Bodossakis Post-Doctoral Fellow at ELIAMEP

Thanos Dokos, Senior Advisor , Director-General, ELIAMEP

Editorial Office ______

Hellenic Foundation for European and foreign Policy - ELIAMEP 49, Vas. Sofias str., Athens, 10676, Greece T.: (+30) 210 7257110 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected]

Middle East Mediterranean (MEM) is an unbiased bimonthly report of the ELIAMEP Middle East Research Project , focusing largely on geopolitical and economic developments, debates as well as policies, affecting the future of the Middle East. Having a global outlook MEM hosts analyses, commentaries, interviews and news, conducting research in the fields of politics, economics and culture in the Middle East and adjacent areas, such as the Eastern Mediterranean.

NOTICE: The views expressed in the articles of the Middle East Mediterranean do not reflect the point of view of the Hellenic Institute for European and Foreign Policy and the Editorial Team.

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 2

CONTENTS

Analyses

Editor’s Note 4

Turkey’s Test with Democracy B. Cenem Çevik 5

The question is whether the AKP can live up to the expectations and own up to its wrongdoings as well as achievements or nor.

The Future of Monotheitstic Non-Muslim Communities in Turkey 9 Lakis Vingas

The return of the marginalized non-Muslim communities in the core of the social and economic activity of society in Turkey is an ongoing process. The concept of democracy and respect of human rights are vital in this context.

Comments

Media Developments in Turkey 13 George Tzogopoulos

Recent developments in the Turkish media contribute to rising concern and scepticism. That is because media owners are increasing their control over news content while many journalists are losing their jobs.

Erdogan, Islam and Halki 15 Evangelos Venetis

Turkey’s policy regarding reopening the Theological School of Halki must be based on the past common Kemalist experience of Muslims and Christians in Turkey and not on any temporary short-sighted maneuvering on the part of Turkey’s foreign policy makers.

The Jewish Community in a multicultural Turkey: Background and Prospects Gabriel Haritos 17 The new Constitution of the Republic of Turkey must ensure the de-marginalization of the non-Muslim Turkish citizens and the constitutional protection of their basic rights of freedom of belief, religious practices, minority education and cultural growth

Monitoring the Middle East A selection of news and comments on major developments in the region. 21

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 3

Editor’s Note

Nowadays the politics and society of Turkey face a major challenge, that of adjustment to the new economic landscape as a result of the economic booming of Turkey. Witnessing an unprecedented degree of economic development, Turkey needs to address and balance economic growth with social and political reforms encompassing almost every single human power at its disposal. Thus the social role of communities and the observance of human rights in Turkey acquire a major role. In this context for the first time in less than a century the demarginalization of non-Muslim communities of Turkey poses a great challenge to the AKP government in their effort to proceed smoothly with the reforms that the society needs. This liberal approach of domestic social and political aspects of life must be implemented by the AKP government at a time that Erdogan seeks to democratize and re-Islamize Turkey’s society. The two processes seem to be quite contradictory but the AKP leadership seems to have been used to this kind of dual approach of politics and policies. So far this dual policy has worked out but major points rise as far as the future of the AKP domestic policy is concerned. Perhaps the major question is whether the dual policy of democratization and re-Islamization could last and if so for how long. Interestingly enough this process finds Turkey and its citizens at a crossroads of history. Turkey’s AKP government is challenged to select the right path which could also mark the involvement and creative contribution of every citizen and community, Muslim or not, of Turkey in its economic, social and political renaissance.

MEM

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 4 B. Senem Çevik , Turkey’s Test with Democracy

Analyses

Turkey’s Test with Democracy

B. Senem Çevik Assistant Professor Center for the Study and Research of Political Psychology, Ankara University

The Gezi events that escalated with the plan to demolish part of Taksim’s Gezi Park infuriated non-partisan millions concerned not only about environmental policies but also AKP’s, namely Erdoğan’s, increasing drift to a one-man show leadership. The question is whether the AKP can live up to the expectations and own up to its wrongdoings as well as achievements or not.

The recent mass protests in Turkey been picture perfect. The Arab brought numerous comparisons Spring was about having a say, Arab between Tahrir and Taksim. Just to honor, taking political participation make things clear Taksim is not in autocratic regimes, whereas in Tahrir and Erdoğan is no Mubarak Turkey there is already a working or Asad. What is taking place in democracy, though with some visible Turkey is definitely not the Turkish flaws regarding pluralism and spring since the first call for justice freedom of speech. Turkey as a fairly and political change was delivered in young republic and an immature 2002 with the landslide victory of the democracy is still outgrowing former AKP. After all, it was the conflicts and find a solution to democratically elected AKP that identity debates. Imagine an infant introduced a more advanced barely trying to walk, can he run understanding, application of before walking properly? Probably democracy freeing Turkish politics not. This is the case with Turkey as from the grip of military tutelage and democracy does not come in full boosted the economy. Perhaps, package at a glimpse of a second, it Turkey’s EU bid and AKP’s needs to be earned, appreciated and determination in the accession this learning process takes time. For process have been key motivators in that reason, there is no need to be this change which is occasionally hopeless but a cautious optimism is dubbed as ‘new Turkey’. Though this vital. Turkey, as a young nation with does not mean that everything fairly large number of youth regards to human rights, freedoms population is still absorbing the and participatory democracy have meaning and the way to achieve a

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 6/1 | November – December 2012 5

B. Senem Çevik , Turkey’s Test with Democracy

more consolidated democracy. The polarizing language that occasionally unprecedented Gezi Park protest is devalued those with a different indeed a manifestation of a need to lifestyle than the administration and create a more open society, which is discrediting the major part of the open to criticism, empathy and early republican period. It has been a tolerance. showdown between the Ottoman The late events that escalated Empire and Turkish Republic when with the plan to demolish part of one is glorified and the other Taksim’s Gezi Park infuriated non- devalued. Such polarization brought partisan millions concerned not only Turkey’s major identity fault lines about environmental policies but back to the surface with Gezi Park also AKP’s, namely Erdoğan’s, events generating a sense of increasing drift to a one-man show humiliation amongst urbanized leadership not seeking consent on masses. Although not all of the issues major issues. Gezi Park decision mentioned relate to the identity without asking public consent and discussion, it was as if the secular the excessive use of force by the and liberal urban groups of the police was practically the ultimate society were pushed to the sidelines, rupture of a series of events that took unheard and suffocating in an ever place in the last few years such as conservative policies together with Erdoğan’s demand of an ideal the ‘us’ and ‘them’ dichotomy. citizen, increasing self-censorship in Erdoğan’s attitude of ‘my way or the media and academia, urging women highway’ may have had huge impact to have at least three children, on this suffocation. There was a build discussions on abortion, increasing up of emotions, a well grounded violence against women and the lack feeling of threat to symbols of own of rule of law, the demolish of identity, almost like a feeling of being historical Emek theatre, finding the step-child amongst groups that excuses to be absent from national do not vote or support the AKP. holiday celebrations, unresolved case These non-violent protestors and of the Hrant Dink murder and many silent observers were saying Uludere bombing, turbulence in ‘Enough with meddling in my foreign policy, sectarian perceptions, personal life and humiliating my bombing in Hatay, recent Kurdish values!’. In Turkey, where the state opening, the third Bosphorus bridge, has the utmost importance and the third international airport decision leader considered as the paternal in İstanbul and most recently authority, Erdoğan’s persistent passing of the law on the sale of discourse to create an ideal pious alcohol. Perhaps most notably, in his citizen has almost created a rebellion last term Erdoğan has chosen a more against the father figure. A large part

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of the protestors took the streets just police violence swept İstanbul because they were fed up with being deepening the cultural fault lines. told how they should live. Interesting Without any surprise, enough, the AKP came to power traditional Kemalist political groups, challenging the former Kemalist the radical left, groups of the old system generating ‘ideal citizens’, establishment tried to hijack the and in only in a matter of a decade it unexpected Gezi Park protests giving ended up following suit. way to some vandalism and Which started out as an unacceptable defamatory language environmentalist protest became a against Erdoğan. However nationwide anti-AKP rally following oversimplification of the Gezi Park as the brutal police repression of the another ‘foreign plot’ or ‘strike back non-violent protestors in Gezi Park of the old state’ is simply turning a on May 31 st . Excessive use of force by blind eye to what is actually taking the security forces with tear gasses, place on the societal level. Former water cannons, plastic bullets, media anxieties such as ‘the big game to self-censorship in broadcasting the stop Turkey from being successful’ events and Erdoğan’s continuous should have no part in analyzing derogatory language calling all Gezi Park as it resonates nothing but protestors drunkards, marginal and the Sevres syndrome. Rather think of ‘çapulcular’ (looters/marauders) a pressure cooker and how it needs mobilized more crowds through to let the steam off. The Gezi Park social media. Soon enough, the events have turned out to be the last mostly secular, urban and middle- straw to let the societal steam off. It class took the streets in İstanbul, is as if the sidelined factions of the Ankara, İzmir, Adana, Hatay and society have found a chance to several more cities to demonstrate ventilate instead of a mass explosion. peacefully taking pride in the word In this sense, Gezi Park protests can ‘çapulcu’. Two weeks after the be managed by the government to protests, as the government and a find new ways to incorporate the representative group of Gezi Park ‘others’, listen to their just reached an agreement over freezing grievances. When the children of the the construction project and state rebel against the paternal evacuating the park things started to authority figure it is not too bad at calm down. The peace offer and all. In fact, this symbolizes that the dialogue of the AKP was quite a AKP has actually achieved in daring step to find a common establishing a new framework for ground. However in a matter of 24 Turkish democracy, one that this hours an unprecedented wave of new generation of youth were accustomed to. This is probably what

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the AKP calls the new Turkey, one law not only for the future of Turkey that is demanding more because of but also for the sake of all the realizing that it can happen. advancements that the current The question is whether the government has introduced in the AKP can live up to the expectations last decade. Conspiracy theories such and own up to its wrongdoings as as ‘foreign plot against Turkey’ and well as achievements or not. blaming the ‘interest lobby’ will only Perhaps, Prime Minister Erdoğan make matters worse, increasing needs an emergency reassessment of societal frustration and diminishing his polarizing, arrogant language, trust to the state. Indeed, Erdoğan’s discover tolerance to communicate handling and evaluating the protests with the other 50% of the society will determine the direction of who have not voted for his party and Turkey’s historical grievances on offer a breathing space that does not identity. Turkey and the AKP force his own moral principles on an administration should investigate the ideal citizen. Yet, there are very little reasons behind this mass discontent signs of improvement in language and find out what the new demands considering that the Premier is using of the new Turkey are in terms of a derogatory language to start a freedoms. On the other hand that are witch-hunt against protestors massive lessons to be learned for the through falsified arguments that is opposition parties suggesting a igniting pious masses. More vacuum in the political system. importantly, as the public conscience When the dust settles, the demands was hurt due to the disproportionate of the digital youth may prove to use of force throughout the police become a major leap towards a crackdown of the protests and liberal, participatory democracy and human rights violations rule of law further societal tolerance. Let’s hope should immediately be applied to so. recover this trauma. All in all, this is a challenge for Turkey, Turkish democracy, AKP and Erdoğan. Although the Gezi protestors can also be criticized up to a point for letting some radical groups hijack the protests on several occasions, it is foremost up to Erdoğan and his government to take charge and solve this conflict, eliminate the threats to lifestyles –whether they are perceived or ture-, apply the rule of

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 8 Lakis Vingas, The Future of Monotheistic Communities

The Future of Monotheistic Non-Muslim Communities in Turkey

Lakis Vingas, Representative of the Non Muslim Foundations in Turkey Council Member, General Directorate of Foundations, Ankara

Democracy is founded on pluralism, steady and strong politically and tolerance and diversity. In fact it economically dynamic society with a draws the maximum power from the bright future. The society which concepts. The communities of the offers expression, creativity and work monotheistic religions living in for its citizens highlights those very Turkey today are pockets of characteristics which guarantee safe pluralism, cultural diversity, social and guide further development. support, and therefore democracy. Otherwise the dynamics of society Free expression favors not only the has an expiration date, leading it sender but also the recipient of the inevitably to decline and decay. message. In doing so, it contributes This momentum does not only to information, knowledge, and thus make the community self-sufficient shaping his/her worldview. but it attributes the feature of Pluralism within a democratic interactivity, creating the conditions framework is strengthened and for interaction with other cultural enriched not only by difference of communities from a position of opinion within a particular political power. and cultural group but also by the Not only is the economic coexistence of views and cultural factor that makes the difference in a groups beyond. Thus it is easier to community. It is mainly the spiritual structure cultural interaction and virtues and abilities of its members. mutual emulation among These virtues, unlike the economy, communities as a whole. are not measurable and make, A democratic society based on mainly represented by the will of the drawing every aspect of spiritual people and the dynamics of the inventory of its citizens, regardless of community, the basic difference, religion, ideology and payments is a creating the conditions for prosperity

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and positive contemplation of the based on the principles of mutual future. respect, freedom and human rights Monotheistic religions with with democracy as the dominant their particular common spiritual force, is undivided. characteristics form a legacy of In one set harmoniously tuned intellectual and social virtues for by reciprocity there is no space for society. Religions, without abolishing cultural competition among the their special identity, form an parts. The monotheistic amalgam, a set, such as the body and communities, each knowing the role its members. In this section, each and scope of existence and member has his own role and interaction with others, base their character befitting a pluralistic inter-communal relations on trust society. Otherwise, i.e. a society that and mutual respect. In this way, does not highlight the presence and there is harmony in a society where role of these communities resembles there should be no room for cultural a crippled body whose members are competition. either atrophied or dysfunctional Similarly, keeping in mind with dire consequences for the their common characteristics and society spiritually, socially and common purpose, i.e. the spiritual economically. rescue of man, religions having cultural self-awareness and social Human Rights realism, are able to ensure coexistence and the public good In nature there is the through the development of cultural dominant principle of reciprocity. In emulation. On this concept of the same way that the body is emulation one should structure the benefited from every creative force of daily routine of the members of the its members, so these communities communities today and in the future are supported by the stable and in order to forge a common cultural creative social context in the heritage of all communities of formation of which they themselves Turkish society. contribute. This amplifying depends The aforementioned on highlighting those special virtues emulation is all about today, because of each individual and group, through that human rights can be qualities which would otherwise guaranteed, based on the United remain dormant, invisible and Nations Charter. And it is true that ultimately nonexistent. the international community usually Having these in mind, it is promotes respect for human rights in clear that a community which is their basic ideological framework

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with the commonality of human life based on the principle of equality nature as its main principle. before the law and general human However, beyond the common rights. theoretical framework of the concept An important source of of human rights our main task today knowledge for the social aspects of is the application of the concept of religion in the previous years has human rights, and particularly their been my personal experience as a social aspect. Motivated by the representative of the 166 minority diversification between theory and institutions under the General practice, I would like to stress at this Directorate of Religious Foundations point that the focal point of social of Turkey. In this capacity, I had the and cultural developments for the opportunity to travel to 12 cities of Turkish society must be, and is to a Turkey, being in constant contact certain extent, the definition of the with these institutions and practical dimension of human rights expressing their needs and desires in our society today. The social for a greater role in social palpation of such a theoretical interaction. concept is not a minor issue. It is up In this process the web of to both the state and its citizens to these religious institutions does not listen to the society's needs first and involve only religious issues, but messages of the times. With this in above all it contributes to the mind, both rulers and the people are information and multiculturalism of able to shape and describe the society. The social dimension of implementation of the practical these institutions is evident not only framework of human rights today, in worship but also in the based on mutual respect and cultural multidimensional reality and human emulation. activity, i.e. education, healthcare, These two concepts make the sports, charity and other expressions notion of human rights visible and of social life in general. tangible in a society where, These social expressions are admittedly, in the last eighty years an integral part of everyday life for they had become invisible and all minorities of the monotheistic elusive. And indeed it is encouraging religions in Turkey today, bringing the fact that that the state in Turkey social harmony in daily contact with now recognizes realistically the past the majority of Muslim residents. reality and makes efforts to improve Indeed, in many respects common further, i.e. the integration of the social activities of adherents to these non-Muslim communities in religions make daily social Turkey's core of everyday economic communication a point of contact,

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mutual cultural exchange and Turkish Republic could ensure in ultimately understanding and practice, not just theory, the mutual respect. egalitarianism of non-Muslim It is important that the communities. It is, indeed, an Turkish state agrees with the important moment in the modern importance of the support and history of our country. It is the wish implementation of human rights. and expectation of all non-Muslim The support and preservation of communities that the adoption of the these rights were highlighted during new Constitution will enables to the widespread Gezi Park protests enjoy our rights as equal citizens in a last summer. The society reminded flourishing society. The communities the state of its obligations toward its want to see themselves equal and people and the preservation and free in every aspect of our personal promotion of human rights for the and communal lives. whole spectrum of the society. Ahead Ensuring multiculturalism, of the forthcoming 2014 presidential social harmony, creativity, economic and municipal elections in Turkey, it and personal development based on is noteworthy that the Turkish state cultural rivalry and respect for has a fine opportunity to reaffirm human rights can ensure the strongly and actually its commitment integrity of our own society, and to the protection of human rights. mostly peace inside and outside the Nowadays Turkey is in a country. transitional stage from a troubled past to a promising future. The under formation new Constitution of the

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 12 COMMENTS George Tzogop oulos

Comments

Media Developments in Turkey

Dr. George Tzogopoulos, Bodossakis post-doctoral fellow, ELIAMEP

The media landscape in Turkey has Moreover, journalists in Turkey are been an area of high interest for still suffering from imprisonment. analysts and scholars. However, According to Hurriyet , Anne Cooper, according to a 2012 Freedom House a former Committee to Protect study, the evaluation can hardly be Journalists official and free press considered as positive. For example, advocate has said, expressing constitutional guarantees of freedom disappointment that problems of the press and expression are only similar to those she observed during partially upheld in practice and are her visits to Turkey in the 1990s generally undermined by provisions remain unresolved. in the penal code and a strict Recent developments in the antiterrorism law. Additionally, Turkish media contribute to rising Turkish law does not meet press concern and scepticism. That is freedom standards as laid out in the because media owners are increasing European Convention on Human their control over news content while Rights. many journalists are losing their Further to this, as the analysis jobs. For instance, editor-in-chief of of Freedom House highlights, the the Milliyet daily, Derya Sazak, was restrictive penal code continues to affected by the winds of change in overshadow positive reforms that the Turkish media, being replaced by had been implemented as part of the the daily’s Ankara representative country’s bid for European Union Fikret Bila. Likewise, columnist Can membership, including a 2004 press Dündar was also sacked from the law that replaced prison sentences newspaper. with fines for media violations.

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 13 COMMENTS George Tzogop oulos

It should be mentioned that view, the main problem with the Milliyet drew criticism from Prime media in the country is that the Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after Erdogan government ‘is silencing publishing the minutes of a meeting critical voices in state-owned media between imprisoned terrorist or private enterprises which are Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) highly dependent on its political and leader Abdullah Ocalan and Kurdish economic favours. politicians. For its part, the Turkish In the aftermath of the Gezi government denies claims that it is park protests the position of Prime leading media owners to dismiss Minister Erdogan has deteriorated. certain journalists because of anti- The Committee to Protect government views. As Today’s Journalists is continuously putting Zaman has reported, a leading pressure on him to safeguard press government figure Yalcın Akdogan, freedom in the country. The EU is has published an article also raising concerns for the deconstructing the argument of the protection of pluralism and editorial alleged government’s role. independence. But the Commenting on recent ‘democratisation package’ itself developments, Sahin Alpay observes cannot be considered as sufficient. that ‘the argument that opposition in Maybe Sahin Alpay is correct in the media is silenced by the Justice proposing a reform package and Development Party (AKP) specifically for the media. government is partially valid’. In his

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 14 COMMENTS Evangelos Venetis

Erdogan, Islam and Chalki

Dr. Evangelos Venetis Middle East Research Project - ELIAMEP

Following the recent announcement actively carried out a systematic of the democratization package of policy of reform and reintegration of Ankara for domestic minority issues, monotheistic communities in the there was both euphoria and society of Turkey. In August 2011 he frustration amongst minorities in ordered the return of the seized Turkey. First the news was positive property and religious buildings of mainly for Kurds and partly for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Assyrians; yet it was not the case for Constantinople and a month after the other monotheistic communities the Bursa Bishop Elpidoforos was that are not satisfied with the range appointed as abbot of the Holy of reforms. Εspecially the Greek Trinity Monastery of Halki. Nine Orthodox community is dissatisfied months ago, the Turkish Council of with the fact that its request for the Foundations returned 190 hectares reopening of the Theological School of land to the Foundation of the of Halki was not fruitful. This is Monastery of the Holy Trinity, i.e. because Erdogan has declared openly the institution -owner of the that he views Halki as a bargaining Theological School of Halki. These chip to increase his rhetoric and acts are evidence of Erdogan’s influence over the Muslims of intention to resolve the issue. Yet the Greece, i.e. the Greek Muslims of problem is that he raises the issue of Thrace and their newly arrived non - reciprocity as far as various issues of Greek coreligionists in Greece’s Muslims in Greece are concerned. cities. Regarding the newly arrived Undoubtedly in the past non-Greek Muslims Erdogan as ninety years Turkey’s Prime Erdogan pious Muslim leader of Turkey has is the first Turkish leader who has the right to express his interest in the

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 15 COMMENTS Evangelos Venetis

same way that leaders of other the fact that the marginalization and Muslim countries do, especially violation of the rights of non-Muslim when some of these Muslims are monotheistic communities in Turkey temporary residents and nationals of took place in a parallel way with the these Muslim countries, except marginalization and violation of the Turkey. However Erdogan cannot rights of Muslim Turks by the secular use the newly arrived non-Greek and pro-Western Kemalist regime of Muslims in Greece as a means of Turkey. Therefore Prime Minister political bargaining, because the Erdogan knows firsthand the Halki issue is exclusively related to position of the Greek Orthodox in the Treaty of Lausanne. Therefore Turkey, since also he has been Halki could only be related in terms previously persecuted and of reciprocity to the status of Greek marginalized socially, e.g. he was Muslims in Thrace, whose rights, imprisoned only a few years ago. however, are lawfully observed by Hence in regard to the issue of the Greek State under the same reopening of the Theological School treaty. Thus it is Turkey’s violation of of Halki, Erdogan’s outlook must be the Lausanne treatyin regard to this common course of Muslim and Greek Orthodox Christians in Turkey non -Muslim monotheistic and not vice versa. communities from the margins to the Even if Erdogan claims about core of the vivid socially and the contrary in order to support his economically life of the economically arguments, he should speak from a developing Turkey and not any moral, not only political, point of ephemeral gains of his international view. Thus he should first reopen the Islamic rhetoric. Erdogan as Muslim Theological School of Halki , the knows it well. So Halki must open closure of which is a violation of the immediately. Treaty of Lausanne. Apparently Erdogan knows well this reasoning and in particular an aspect that many in Turkey and Greece do not take into account, i.e.

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 16 COMMENTS Gabriel Haritos

The Jewish Community in a multicultural Turkey: Background and Prospects

Gabriel Haritos The Department of European and International Studies, University of Macedonia, Greece

The new Constitution of the Republic of Turkey must ensure the de- marginalization of the non-Muslim Turkish citizens and the constitutional protection of their basic rights of freedom of belief, religious practices, minority education and cultural growth.

While other Jewish Communities in emigrated to Israel, while today a Europe have suffered the results of small population of 26,000 Jews are the Holocaust, the Ottoman liberal living in the country, most of them in policy towards the Jewish population Istanbul and fewer in other Turkish as well as Ankara's neutrality during cities such as Izmir (est. 2,300), World War II turned Turkey to be a Ankara, Bursa, Adana, Kirklareli, 'safe haven' for the Jews. Despite the Iskenderun and a tiny Arab-speaking fact that Kemalist secularism Jewish Community of 10 families in regulated reservations over religious Antakya. teaching and imposed higher Compared to other Muslim taxation, the Jewish Community of countries where Jewish the country managed to remain alive Communities still exist, the Jewish during the 30s' and 40s'. Community in Turkey did not With the Proclamation of become a reason of any political or Israel's Independence in 1948, a cultural conflict whatsoever between great percentage of Turkish Jews Ankara and Tel Aviv. Throughout the emigrated to Israel. According to the decades, both Turkish and Israeli World Jewish Congress and the government officials and Turkish Jewish Community official entrepreneurs managed to keep away figures, between the years 1948 and this delicate 'religion variable' from 1951, 37,000 out of a total of 75,000 the flourishing Turkish-Israeli Turkish Jews emigrated to Israel strategic and financial relations ("Big Turkish Aliya"). Since 1948 a during the 80s' and the 90s'. Anti- total of 61,221 Turkish Jews have Semitic sentiments within the

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 17 COMMENTS Gabriel Haritos

Turkish society caused by the manner and our sorrow is the same continuous Arab-Israeli conflict did as that of the general public." It was not succeed to influence the mainly obvious to the Jewish official bodies secular and affiliated to the Turkish of Turkey that keeping a low-profile upper middle-class Jewish would ensure the traditionally Community. centuries-old good relations with the The gradual pro-Arab steps of 99,8% Muslim majority of the the AKP administration combined Turkish society. with the new Turkish doctrine Despite the political and social towards the Middle East and the adversities that the Jewish Arab world have dramatically Community of Turkey has faced influenced the Turkish-Israeli since the Mavi Marmara incident in relations. The Mavi Marmara 2010 and although the Israeli incident on May 31, 2010 was the authorities were getting prepared to catalyst and anti-Jewish sentiments accept an increased number of have been expressed by a great part Turkish Jews due to the political of the Turkish society, regardless of developments that followed, the the degree of religiosity. official figures provided by the Israeli The Jewish Community of Ministry of Immigrant Absorption Turkey suddenly found itself under prove that the average Turkish extraordinary circumstances, given citizen of Jewish origin is still not that for the first time Turkish citizens willing to expatriate. have become victims of the Israeli According to the official armed forces. The first –and last- Israeli statistics, the Turkish "Olim declaration made by the Chief Hadashim" (New Jewish Immigrants Rabbinate of Istanbul on the Mavi to Israel) in 2009, a year before the Marmara incident has been very Mavi Marmara incident, were 150. careful: " We are distressed to learn This tendency remained stable in of the military intervention carried 2010 (155 migrants), while the out against the ship Mavi Marmara following years the Jewish migration which was heading toward Gaza. from Turkey was decreasing : 111 The fact that, according to the first Turkish Jews migrated to Israel in reports we have received, there have 2011, 73 in 2012 and during the first been dead and wounded in the 8 months of 2013 the total number of intervention, has increased our Turkish 'Olim' was only 47. sorrow all the more. We fully share Explanations vary about our country’s reaction generated by Turkish Jewry's remarkable the stopping of the aforementioned reluctance to abandon their (humanitarian relief) effort in this motherland. Despite the recent

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 18 COMMENTS Gabriel Haritos

difficulties Turkish Jews were facing Ishak Ibrahimzadeh, the after the Mavi Marmara incident due newly elected Chairman of the to anti-Semitic anti-Israeli Jewish Community of Turkey expressed his optimism while sentiments expressed by the local emphasizing the basic guidelines that media and government officials, the AUK should take into consideration: remaining members of their "We welcomed the Community seem not losing their democratization act announced by confidence that a peaceful our Prime Minister. We fully believe coexistence and religious diversity that all these acts will contribute within the framework of a Turkish more to the unity, integrity and multicultural sociological status quo democracy of our Turkey. As we see are still possible. that a lot of necessary reforms are Turkish Jewry's intuition going to be done, we believe in the seems to be confirmed and despite requirement of pursuing them while AKP's political incentives, aiming to they are implemented by the promote a neo-Islamist social agenda executives which should be in a way and restructuring the country's of uniting and embracing the public. regional foreign policy priorities, in We expect the hatred expressions an encouraging move made by the being evaluated as crime and that Turkish administration, a public the commuters of this crime be discussion about the new legally identified by the relevant Constitution has started within the institutions of our state in order to protect the rights of the offended framework of which the government and that the necessary punitive showed that religious diversity might sanctions are applied. be a factor of social reconciliation Under the light of all these we rather than a tool of foreign policy hope that our government, our State adversity. An encouraging sign of and all society individuals this conception was clear: In late altogether fulfill their own 2011 the Jewish Community, the responsibilities with sincerity, and we wish success to all on this path". Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate, the The new Constitution of the Armenian and the Syriac Orthodox Republic of Turkey must ensure the Churches –as well as the Alevi de-marginalization of the non- Community- have all been invited to Muslim Turkish citizens and the convey their remarks and constitutional protection of their suggestions to the Constitutional basic rights of freedom of belief, Reconciliation Commission (AUK), religious practices, minority which is entitled to form the draft of education and cultural growth. the new Turkish Constitution, As for the religious and ethnic aiming to regulate minority rights. minorities within the Turkish

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 19 COMMENTS Gabriel Haritos

society, it is obvious that to be promoted and protected within constitutional guarantees of their the framework of the Turkish basic rights are the ultimum political system, regardless of refugium as well as a sound basis of Ankara's current foreign policy a tolerant, democratic and doctrine, which might as well change multicultural social environment as a its orientation in the future. whole, qualities that should continue

ELIAMEP Middle East Mediterranean 3/2 | May – August 2013 20 MONITORING THE MIDDLE EAST

Monitoring the Middle East

Afghanistan

Afghans protest opening of Taliban Office in Doha (29 June. 2013) People have taken to the streets across Afghanistan to protest against the opening of a political office for Taliban militants in the Qatari capital of Doha. Demos were held in Kabul, the provinces of Paktia and Khost as well as the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

Bahrain

Shia leader’s death stirs Bahrain protest (27 June, 2013) The Shiite group February 14 movement said on Facebook that Hussein Abdullah, one of its local leaders, had been “martyred in a terrorist attack carried out by the intelligence services”. His death triggered anger, with the group saying its supporters set alight tyres and blocked several streets in protest.

Comment: The crisis in Bahrain in the Persian Gulf is ongoing.

Egypt

Coup d’Etat against President Morsi (30 June, 2013) Serious and massive protests have led to a coup d’etat by the Egyptian army against President Morsi, the first democratically elected president in Egypt’s history.

Comment: Bringing Democracy to a halt.

Iran

Sheikh Hassan Rohani is elected new president (15 June, 2013) On the June 14 elections, in a landslide victory Sheikh Hassan Rohani was elected new president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iraq

Barzani to rule for 2 more years (30 June, 2013) The Leader of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Massoud Barzani will remain in power for another two years as lawmakers voted to postpone presidential polls amid rows in the Kurdish parliament.

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Kuwait

Kuwaiti freight recovering (29 June, 2013) Kuwait's ports have struggled to recover the volumes they enjoyed prior to the global economic downturn, but BMI expects recovery to have been completed by 2013, and that growth will continue over the medium term.

Lebanon

Lebanon army restores order in Sidon (23 June, 2012) The Lebanese army said in a statement issued late on Sunday that it restored order in the southern city of Sidon following bloody clashes with gunmen loyal to Salafist Sheikh Ahmed al- Assir.

Libya

Libyan Defense Minister fired over deadly clashes (27 June, 2013) Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeydan fired Defense Minister Mohammed al-Barghathi following deadly clashes in Tripoli.

Palestine - Israel

UN criticizes Israel settlement expansion (15 June, 2013) The UN chief is deeply concerned about Israel’s plan to build more than 1000 illegal houses in two settlements in the West Bank.

Israel deploys Iron Dome Missile System in the North (30 June, 2013) The missile system was deployed at the northern city of Haifa on 28 June due to the alleged tension on its northern borders.

Qatar

Obama and Karzai back Taleban talk in Qatar (26 June, 2013) According to the White House, US President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai support the prospect of holding talks with the Taliban in the Taliban’s office in Qatar.

Saudi Arabia

GCC to finalize curbs on Hezbollah (29 June, 2013) According to Gulf Cooperation Council Head Abdullatif al-Zayani, GCC held a meeting in Riyadh and agreed the mechanisms for imposing sanctions on members of the Lebanese Shiite political party Hezbollah.

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Somalia

UN condemns deadly assault in Mogadishu (20 June, 2013) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the al-Shabab attack on the main UN compound in the Somali capital Mogadishu, killing 15 people, including eight members of the UN staff.

Syria

Russia denies shutting Embassy in Syria (29 June, 2013) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected reports suggesting that Moscow plans to close its embassy in the crisis-hit Syria, as well as its naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus.

Tunisia

Tunisians protest against news draft law (29 June, 2013) Hundreds of Tunisian protesters have taken to the streets in the capital Tunis to voice their opposition to a draft law that is expected to ban the former regime’s officials from running in elections. Opponents of the Tunisian government say the controversial law aims to keep the opposition out of politics.

Turkey

Violent demonstrations erupt in Gezi Park - Istanbul (28 May, 2013) Protests raised against the plans of replacing Taksim Gezi Park with a reconstruction of the historic Taksim Military Barracks (demolished in 1940), with the possibility of housing a shopping mall. The protests developed into riots when a group occupying the park was attacked by police.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai records significant growth in all key sectors (30 June, 2013) According to a latest report, Dubai marked significant growth in all key economic sectors in 2012 and the emirate will continue to maintain its position as a regional and global hub for business and finance.

Yemen

Tribesmen attack oil pipeline in Yemen (27 June, 2013) Yemeni tribesmen carried out an attack on an oil pipeline in the Sarwah area of Marib, thus interrupting the flow of oil in the Marib province..

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