Renewed assurance that the Republican Party–currently the opposition party in Turkey–will not give way to racial or religious discrimination if it is elected to power in the general elections next May, was given by Kasim Gulek, head of the party, addressing a public meeting in the city of Mersin, in southern Turkey.
The Republican Party, which held power in the nation from the formation of the Turkish Republic after World War I until 1950 when it was beaten by the Democratic Party, was responsible for the discriminatory “varlik” tax during World War II which brought economic ruin to Jews and other minority group members.
Mr. Galek reiterated earlier statements that he considers discriminatory practices a betrayal of the country. He also charged that there were some elements in the country who were trying to spark a propaganda campaign based on racial and religious discrimination.
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.
