Letter from Congress calls out Erdogan on ‘anti-Semitic’ statements
Special to WorldTribune.com
WASHINGTON — Congress has issued a warning to Turkish Prime Minister
Recep Erdogan over what was termed his anti-Semitism.
Recep Erdogan over what was termed his anti-Semitism.
At least 46 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter to
Turkish President Abdullah Gul that complained about Erdogan’s anti-Jewish
stance. The U.S. representatives asserted that Erdogan was increasingly
accusing Jews of Turkey’s problems.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul that complained about Erdogan’s anti-Jewish
stance. The U.S. representatives asserted that Erdogan was increasingly
accusing Jews of Turkey’s problems.
“As members of the United States House of Representatives, dedicated to preserving our country’s longstanding relationship with Turkey, we are writing to express our profound concern over recent anti-Semitic remarks by senior Turkish officials,” the letter, dated July 30, said.
The letter was the second by members of Congress on anti-Semitic statements by Turkish officials since March 2013. In the March letter, the House members urged Erdogan to retract a statement in which referred to Zionism as a “crime against humanity.”
In the latest letter, House members said Erdogan appeared to be blaming foreign Jews for nationwide protests in Turkey in mid-2013. The U.S. lawmakers referred to Erdogan’s remarks in which he blamed the “interest rate lobby” for the worst anti-government protests in Turkey since his
pro-Islamist Justice and Development Party was voted into power in 2002.
pro-Islamist Justice and Development Party was voted into power in 2002.
“Most recently, the prime minister blamed outside forces including ‘the
interest rate lobby’ — a thinly veiled reference to Jews — for the protest
movement that originated in Gezi Park,” the letter said. “Increasing our
concern, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay blamed, among others, the
‘Jewish diaspora’ for fueling the demonstrations in Turkey.”
interest rate lobby’ — a thinly veiled reference to Jews — for the protest
movement that originated in Gezi Park,” the letter said. “Increasing our
concern, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay blamed, among others, the
‘Jewish diaspora’ for fueling the demonstrations in Turkey.”
The letter was sponsored by four members of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, and the co-signers included the chairman of the panel, Rep. Ed
Royce. The House members warned that the anti-Jewish remarks by Erdogan and
others in his government were placing “unnecessary strains on the
relationship between our two great countries.”
Committee, and the co-signers included the chairman of the panel, Rep. Ed
Royce. The House members warned that the anti-Jewish remarks by Erdogan and
others in his government were placing “unnecessary strains on the
relationship between our two great countries.”
Erdogan has been deemed the foreign leader closest to President Barack
Obama. In June, Obama referred to Turkey as “a strong ally and partner in
the region and around the world.”
Obama. In June, Obama referred to Turkey as “a strong ally and partner in
the region and around the world.”
“At this moment of instability and transformation across the region, and
as you grapple with your own internal state of affairs, it is critical that
you demonstrate the highest respect for tolerance, individual liberties, and
freedom of expression,” the letter read.
as you grapple with your own internal state of affairs, it is critical that
you demonstrate the highest respect for tolerance, individual liberties, and
freedom of expression,” the letter read.
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