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ANTI-SEMITES EXPLOIT ISRAEL'S ACTIONS
BIA
Jan 8 2009
Turkey
Rights activists Bilgen and Haligua condemn racist comments that
gain ground in protests against Israel's offensive in Gaza. "The
government and the media incite such reactions. We should demand peace,
not revenge."
Criticizing anti-semite comments and reactions in protests against
Israel's offensive in Gaza, former head of the conservative rights
organization MAZLUMDER Ayhan Bilgen and rights activist -and a Turkish
Jew- Avi Haligua underlined the error of identifying a state's policies
with its people.
Bilgen, advised protestors to question the actions of governments
holding good relations with Israel, including the Justice and
Development Part (AKP) government. Haligua, a radio producer, draws
attention to the media's role in the circulation of such racist
reactions.
"All Jews are trying to clear of others but we'll fight" said a young
commentator during a mainstream TV program, aired last night.
On another account, members of the Osmangazi Cultural Foundation in
EskiÅ~_ehir held banners which read "Armenians and Jews not allowed
through this door" during a staged protest.
Several members of the Human Rights Association (Ä°HD) are applying
to court on the basis of "inciting hatred", regarding those comments.
"It's a grose error to bill the faults of the Israeli state to Jews
living in other parts of the world" said Bilgen. "We must clearly
distinguish between demands of peace in the Middle East and demands
that would instigate further ethnic and religious fights. One should
not forget that the most powerful reaction to Israel's policies comes
from within the country, from Israeli peace activists"
Noting he had covered most of the demonstrations in Istanbul, "I'm
not comfortable faced with demands to account for Israel's actions"
said Haligua.
While this is the case, he also reacts to PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan
saying "we've welcomed Jews as our guest here 600 years ago".
"I'm not a Israeli citizen says Haligua. "Utilization of the notion
of 'guest' after 600 years shows how deep anti-semitism goes. AKP
exploits the situation for the upcoming elections just as the Israeli
government does."
He notes that the media lays ground to racist comments through
sentimental approaches. "We should demand peace instead of
revenge."
--Boundary_(ID_XMgbR4YbmYjMyWmO TSbNAw)--
BIA
Jan 8 2009
Turkey
Rights activists Bilgen and Haligua condemn racist comments that
gain ground in protests against Israel's offensive in Gaza. "The
government and the media incite such reactions. We should demand peace,
not revenge."
Criticizing anti-semite comments and reactions in protests against
Israel's offensive in Gaza, former head of the conservative rights
organization MAZLUMDER Ayhan Bilgen and rights activist -and a Turkish
Jew- Avi Haligua underlined the error of identifying a state's policies
with its people.
Bilgen, advised protestors to question the actions of governments
holding good relations with Israel, including the Justice and
Development Part (AKP) government. Haligua, a radio producer, draws
attention to the media's role in the circulation of such racist
reactions.
"All Jews are trying to clear of others but we'll fight" said a young
commentator during a mainstream TV program, aired last night.
On another account, members of the Osmangazi Cultural Foundation in
EskiÅ~_ehir held banners which read "Armenians and Jews not allowed
through this door" during a staged protest.
Several members of the Human Rights Association (Ä°HD) are applying
to court on the basis of "inciting hatred", regarding those comments.
"It's a grose error to bill the faults of the Israeli state to Jews
living in other parts of the world" said Bilgen. "We must clearly
distinguish between demands of peace in the Middle East and demands
that would instigate further ethnic and religious fights. One should
not forget that the most powerful reaction to Israel's policies comes
from within the country, from Israeli peace activists"
Noting he had covered most of the demonstrations in Istanbul, "I'm
not comfortable faced with demands to account for Israel's actions"
said Haligua.
While this is the case, he also reacts to PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan
saying "we've welcomed Jews as our guest here 600 years ago".
"I'm not a Israeli citizen says Haligua. "Utilization of the notion
of 'guest' after 600 years shows how deep anti-semitism goes. AKP
exploits the situation for the upcoming elections just as the Israeli
government does."
He notes that the media lays ground to racist comments through
sentimental approaches. "We should demand peace instead of
revenge."
--Boundary_(ID_XMgbR4YbmYjMyWmO TSbNAw)--