Izmir’s Etz Hayim synagogue was defaced with “Killer Israel” amid tensions sparked by the war in Gaza. As a result, the local Sephardic community cancelled various activities. Meanwhile, Turkish Recep Erdogan marked the centenary of the Republic, but official celebrations were low-key.
Istanbul (AsiaNews) – The oldest synagogue in Izmir (Smyrna) was defaced with spray paint graffiti, saying "Killer Israel", a few days before the country marks the centenary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.
The Etz Hayim Synagogue dates back to the Byzantine era and is located in the city’s Konak district.
The local Jewish community, which has existed since Roman times, has seen its cultural heritage experience a revival in recent years through several restoration projects, including the repurposing of seven synagogues as museums.
Others still function as places of worship, including the city's largest, Beth Israel, in the Karataş district, and the newly built Shaar Hashamaym Synagogue.
However, tensions over the war in Gaza are running high in Turkey’s small Jewish community, which is estimated to be between 10,000 and 14,000 members, with the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza having broad repercussions.
In addition to the vandalism against the Etz Hayim synagogue, the Sefarad Society’s annual conference, scheduled for earlier this month, was postponed to a later date.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday laid a wreath at the Ataturk's mausoleum in the capital, Ankara, during the annual ceremony marking Republic Day. Later, he travelled to Istanbul to attend a parade of 100 warships with fireworks and drone display.
Considering that this year was the centenary of the birth of the modern state after the end of the Ottoman Empire, the celebrations were very low-key and, unlike the past, there was no gala reception.
Critics accuse Erdogan of seeking to undermine the legacy of secular Turkey's founding father, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.