'Terrorist Israel' sprayed on Turkish synagogue in Istanbul
Istipol synagogue targeted only days after reopening for first time in 65 years; according to the editor of Shalom, a Jewish weekly, 'we have emotional ties to Israel, but no connection to its policies.'
Anti-Israeli graffiti was sprayed on a synagogue in Istanbul on Tuesday, according to Turkish newspaper Zaman.
"Terrorist Israel, Allah exists!" was written on the outside wall of the Istipol synagogue which had just opened its doors for prayer for the first time in 65 years on January 8, 2016.
The synagogue is located in Balat, the old Jewish neighborhood of Istanbul's European side.
Ivo Molinas, the editor of the Jewish weekly Shalom, expressed his frustration with the anti-Semitic rhetoric in Turkey and the link the Turks make between the local Jewish community and Israel.
"I do not know what else to think except that people associate us with Israel. Of course there are some connections between our community and Israel. Members of our community have family living there and there are also emotional ties, but we have no connection to Israel's policies," said Molinas in a telephone interview with the Turkish newspaper.
"The writing of an anti-Israeli statement on the wall of a synagogue is an anti-Semitic act. There is widespread anti-Semitism in Turkey," said Molinas.
There are nine synagogues in the neighborhood of Balat but only two of them are currently active. According to Zaman, graffiti with Turkish nationalist symbols, including wolves and three crescents, was also spray-painted.
