(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
A feeling of panic still prevails among the Jewish communities in Turkey due to the anti-Jewish agitation which is being carried on by the entire Turkish press.
The agitation is being stimulated by charges made against the Jewish communities in Turkey that they sent a message expressing loyalty to the King of Spain last October.
The Constantinople chief of police stated that he had information that a message was sent by 300 Turkish Jews to the King of Spain. The chief of police added that he is now investigating the matter.
In a statement issued by Grand Rabbi Bejeranu Effendi it was emphatically denied that such a message was sent. The Spanish legation in Constantinople also denied any knowledge of such a message. pointing out that it would have been informed if the message were sent.
The Jewish community of Smyrna published a statement in which it protested against the charges. “The Jewish community of Smyrna protests against the strange information published by the newspapers concerning Turkish Jews expressing loyalty to Spain. We hereby categorically declare that such information is unfounded.” the statement declared.
The Jewish community of Angora petitioned the government to remove the false accusation brought against the loyalty of Turkish Jews. “If it will be found that any Jews sent such a message, let them be punished according to the laws of the Republic,” the petition stated.
It was rumored here that a message of greetings was sent to Spain by Sephardic Jews in South America, who emigrated from Constantinople.
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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.
