Istanbul Jews suffered property damage running to some 500 million Turkish lira during the recent anti-Greek, anti-minority riots in that city and Izmir, according to information received here today from reliable sources.
Some of the largest stores in Istanbul are owned by Jews and were sacked by the mobs, which began their activities as a demonstration against the Greek population–over the Cyprus issue–and then turned on the Armenians, Jews and others, including in some case Turks. A large section of the shops owned by Jews in various parts of the city were destroyed in whole or in part.
Significantly, although Greek and Armenian churches were attacked and damaged or destroyed, synagogues and Jewish communal institutions were untouched. Only one synagogue had its windows broken during an assault on a nearby church.
The Jews have begun rebuilding their shops and have hopes that they will receive compensation or financial assistance, as has been promised riot victims by the government. The Jews were disappointed when Premier Adnan Menderes, speaking to Parliament of the damage, mentioned Greek, Armenian and Turkish victims, but failed to mention the Jews. However, they were highly pleased over the Turkish Government’s expression of regret to the Israel Government over the damages suffered by Turkish Jews, the first time Turkey addressed itself to Israel on the question of the rights of Turkish Jews.
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