Reaction to Turkish Deputy PM�s Statement on Anti-Government Protests

A devastating earthquake occurred in east Turkey on October 23, 2011. Israel was the first to respond, sending rescue teams and supplies. Photo: Burhan Ozbilici

World Jewish Congress leader calls Turkish Deputy PM’s remarks on Jewish conspiracy ‘despicable’ Ronald S. Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC),  harshly criticized statements made by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Beshir Atalay who on Monday had blamed a conspiracy of the foreign media and the Jewish Diaspora for the recent mass protests against the government in Turkey. Lauder said: “It is shocking to hear from a senior Turkish government minister such despicable and totally baseless slurs. Mr. Atalay should have the decency to apologize. His remarks are an insult not only to the Jewish people but also to the many Turkish citizens who took part in the protests and who have real grievances.”

Beshir Atalay was quoted by the newspaper Hürriyet as saying: "There are some circles that are jealous of Turkey’s growth. They are all uniting, on one side the Jewish Diaspora. You saw the foreign media’s attitude during the Gezi Park incidents; they bought it and started broadcasting immediately, without doing an evaluation.” Atalay also said that the international media had played a key role in what he termed “the conspiracy" but added that “the ones trying to block the way of great Turkey” would not succeed.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan indirectly suggested that Israel was provoking the mass protests against his government.

Ronald S. Lauder added: “I am convinced that the people of Turkey are not going to be misled by these delusory statements from their leaders. This is a Turkish issue that will be resolved, hopefully democratically and peacefully, within Turkey. And Mr. Atalay should not forget that famous maxim: ‘When you are pointing your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.’ Let’s hope the Turkish government will heed that lesson.”

About the World Jewish Congress

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The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.