A mobile phone shop in Istanbul posted a sign on its window front announcing that “Jew dogs” are banned from entering, the Turkish Jewish newspaper Salom reported.
The discriminatory banner, which was spotted reads, “The Jew dogs cannot come in here” and features an image of an Israeli tank.
The store, located in Tahtakale, an area where many Jewish businesses are situated.
In recent years the climate in Turkey has become increasingly threatening for the country’s Jewish population. Various violent attacks on individuals have been reported and vicious anti-Israel rhetoric is widespread.
During Israel’s recent Operation Protective Edge aimed at stemming rocket fire from Gaza, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan compared Israeli actions to Hitler, and violent protests threatened the Israeli embassy and consulate, prompting the foreign ministry to rapatriate some of its personnel.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Friday issued an open letter to Erdogan, who has been elected president, praising his leadership in affirming Turkey’s commitment to providing an inclusive society for all citizens, especially its minority Jewish population, while challenging his government’s strident criticism of Israeli actions particularly during the recent conflict in Gaza.
Earlier this week, ADL received via the Turkish embassy in Washington a translation of a two-page letter from Mr. Erdogan in which he assured ADL the Turkish Jewish community was safe and “need not be concerned” with public sentiments caused by the events in Gaza or “feel vulnerable on grounds of anti-Semitism.”
But Erdogan went on to suggest that criticism of Israeli government policies was being obstructed “on the grounds of anti-Semitism” and that this would ultimately “prevent the culture of democracy from taking root in the Middle East.”
He also charged Israel with intentionally targeting U.N. schools, hospitals and mosques during Operation Protective Edge.
Erdogan’s letter, dated August 21, was written in response to a missive from ADL welcoming his presidential election victory speech, where he indicated a desire to create an atmosphere of greater inclusivity and acceptance in Turkey.