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TURKISH COMMEMORATION OF HOLOCAUST IS SEGUE TO ARMENIAN RECOGNITION
Michael Cerkas
HULIQ.com
Jan 27 2011
SC
ShareToday, January 27, 2011, marks the first occurrence of a
state-initiated ceremony by Turkey to remember and honor the victims
of the Holocaust at the hands of German Nazi's and their collaborators
during World War II.
January 27 represents the date of the liberation of the Auschwitz
Death Camp 66 years ago (1945).
The ceremony at Istanbul reflects a current tumultuous relationship
between Turkey and former ally Israel over the Jewish state's treatment
of Palestinians.
Turkey has historically released statements that denounced the genocide
of Jews, however, the official ceremony that was held today at the Neve
Salom synagogue in Istanbul, underscores Turkey's position as well as
visibly and emphatically demonstrates a condemnation of the Holocaust.
The ceremony was attended by people within the local Jewish community
as well as the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The Jewish community had issued the following statement with regard
to this first public and official Turkish ceremony; "It is humanity's
obligation to condemn and Holocaust, which aimed to completely destroy
a people, to take necessary measures to prevent future genocides and
to encourage efforts to educate new generations."
The most recent physical action taken by Turkey denouncing the
Holocaust and remembering the Jews that were killed, occurred in 2005.
Current Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, attended a public ceremony
held at Auschwitz that marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation
of the death (concentration) camp.
This overt action taken by Turkey to pay homage to the victims of
the Holocaust is anticipated by many Armenians to be an indication of
future action that Turkey might take in recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, also known as the Armenian Holocaust or Armenian Massacres
that occurred in 1915.
During that time, the Ottoman Empire deliberately and systematically
exterminated (killed) an estimated one and a half million Armenians,
destroying an entire people. The Armenian Holocaust is considered to
have been one of the first modern genocides.
The successor to the Ottoman Empire is the Republic of Turkey.
Historically, it has denied the use of the term genocide to describe
the events of 1915. In recent years, Turkey has received repeated
calls to accept the events as genocide. To date, 20 countries have
already officially recognized the events as genocide.
Armenians view today's official ceremony by Turkey of the Jewish
Holocaust as an indication that Turkey may be nearing an official
recognition of the Armenian Holocaust as well.
From: A. Papazian
Michael Cerkas
HULIQ.com
Jan 27 2011
SC
ShareToday, January 27, 2011, marks the first occurrence of a
state-initiated ceremony by Turkey to remember and honor the victims
of the Holocaust at the hands of German Nazi's and their collaborators
during World War II.
January 27 represents the date of the liberation of the Auschwitz
Death Camp 66 years ago (1945).
The ceremony at Istanbul reflects a current tumultuous relationship
between Turkey and former ally Israel over the Jewish state's treatment
of Palestinians.
Turkey has historically released statements that denounced the genocide
of Jews, however, the official ceremony that was held today at the Neve
Salom synagogue in Istanbul, underscores Turkey's position as well as
visibly and emphatically demonstrates a condemnation of the Holocaust.
The ceremony was attended by people within the local Jewish community
as well as the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The Jewish community had issued the following statement with regard
to this first public and official Turkish ceremony; "It is humanity's
obligation to condemn and Holocaust, which aimed to completely destroy
a people, to take necessary measures to prevent future genocides and
to encourage efforts to educate new generations."
The most recent physical action taken by Turkey denouncing the
Holocaust and remembering the Jews that were killed, occurred in 2005.
Current Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, attended a public ceremony
held at Auschwitz that marked the 60th anniversary of the liberation
of the death (concentration) camp.
This overt action taken by Turkey to pay homage to the victims of
the Holocaust is anticipated by many Armenians to be an indication of
future action that Turkey might take in recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, also known as the Armenian Holocaust or Armenian Massacres
that occurred in 1915.
During that time, the Ottoman Empire deliberately and systematically
exterminated (killed) an estimated one and a half million Armenians,
destroying an entire people. The Armenian Holocaust is considered to
have been one of the first modern genocides.
The successor to the Ottoman Empire is the Republic of Turkey.
Historically, it has denied the use of the term genocide to describe
the events of 1915. In recent years, Turkey has received repeated
calls to accept the events as genocide. To date, 20 countries have
already officially recognized the events as genocide.
Armenians view today's official ceremony by Turkey of the Jewish
Holocaust as an indication that Turkey may be nearing an official
recognition of the Armenian Holocaust as well.
From: A. Papazian