Most of the Jewish-owned shops damaged, destroyed and looted in last month’s riots have been repaired and re-stocked, with assistance from various private and government sources.
Banks have extended credits to tide over store owners and the government has postponed collection of taxes due in order not to further burden the stricken businessmen. In addition, assistance is expected from the large public funds collected throughout Turkey to aid victims of the anti-minority riots. Many Jews contributed to these funds and it is anticipated that Jews in need will be among their beneficiaries.
There has been no concerted movement by Turkish Jews to leave the country as a result of the disorders. Turkish Jews seem determined to rebuild their economic positions and none are known to have registered for immigration to Israel as a specific result of the riots.
Meanwhile, Premier Adnan Menderes, in a public address, has assured all minorities that the government has acted to ensure their safety. The newspaper Cumhuriyet, in an editorial, has assured the Jews that there is no anti-Semitism in Turkey and that there has always been complete religious tolerance. It criticized the riots as “betraying country’s civilization and even her independence.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
