Exhibition sheds light on Jewish aid for independence
A new exhibition titled "Çanakkale Battles, World War I and Ottoman Jews" traces the history of Turkey's Jewish population and their active role in helping the country to keep its independence. The exhibition organized by a museum run by the Turkish Jewish community opened at a cultural center that is part of the Parliament building in the capital, Ankara, on Tuesday. The exhibition's curator, Metin Delevi, said they focused on Jewish citizens' service to their homeland especially in the northwestern city of Çanakkale where decisive battles between Ottoman and Allied forces paved the way for modern Turkey's war of independence a century ago. Delevi said the exhibition, which will be open for a week at the Mustafa Necati Culture Center, was the result of two years of work.
Among the sections of the exhibition are petitions sent by Ottoman Jews to Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1893 asking to be recruited into the army and articles in Jewish publications regarding the community's views about battles the Ottomans were involved in during the early 20th century. Another section is entirely devoted to the Ottoman forces' Çanakkale campaign and Ottoman Jewish soldiers killed in the fierce battles to protect Dardanelles Straits against an Allied campaign to secure the route to Istanbul during World War I.
Attending the opening of exhibition, Deputy Speaker Ahmet Aydın said the exhibition was significant for its emphasis on a shared history and fate of all citizens of Turkey. "The Çanakkale battles are known for soldiers' bravery as well as how citizens in the Ottoman Empire stood united regardless of their ethnic or religious identities. Jewish citizens who sacrificed their lives for their homeland also took up important roles in the foundation of the Republic of Turkey," he said. İsak Haleva, chief rabbi of the Turkish Jewish community, said at the event that the Çanakkale battles were "legendary," and the struggle of those who fought to defend Anatolia would always be remembered dearly. Turkey on Friday will commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Çanakkale (Gallipoli) Victory and Martyrs' Day, remembering the infamous Battle of Gallipoli that cost 500,000 lives from the Allied and Ottoman sides.
Among the sections of the exhibition are petitions sent by Ottoman Jews to Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1893 asking to be recruited into the army and articles in Jewish publications regarding the community's views about battles the Ottomans were involved in during the early 20th century. Another section is entirely devoted to the Ottoman forces' Çanakkale campaign and Ottoman Jewish soldiers killed in the fierce battles to protect Dardanelles Straits against an Allied campaign to secure the route to Istanbul during World War I.
Attending the opening of exhibition, Deputy Speaker Ahmet Aydın said the exhibition was significant for its emphasis on a shared history and fate of all citizens of Turkey. "The Çanakkale battles are known for soldiers' bravery as well as how citizens in the Ottoman Empire stood united regardless of their ethnic or religious identities. Jewish citizens who sacrificed their lives for their homeland also took up important roles in the foundation of the Republic of Turkey," he said. İsak Haleva, chief rabbi of the Turkish Jewish community, said at the event that the Çanakkale battles were "legendary," and the struggle of those who fought to defend Anatolia would always be remembered dearly. Turkey on Friday will commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Çanakkale (Gallipoli) Victory and Martyrs' Day, remembering the infamous Battle of Gallipoli that cost 500,000 lives from the Allied and Ottoman sides.
Last Update: March 16, 2016 22:24