Turkish Forum

Tag: Neve Shalom Synagogue

  • Turkish minister urges countries to work together to fight terrorism

    Turkish minister urges countries to work together to fight terrorism

    Turkish State Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Egemen Bagis said on Monday that all countries should work together to fight against terrorism.

    In his message regarding the terrorist attacks that took place on Nov. 15 and 20, 2003 in Istanbul, Bagis said “we have once again seen the merciless and loathsome face of terrorism with the bombs that exploded in November, 2003.”

    Bagis said terrorism was no more a regional matter but a global problem threatening the whole world.

    Turkey repeatedly says terrorism is a global problem that threatens the whole humanity, said Bagis, adding assessment of the financial and human sources of the terrorist organizations and prevention of the access of terrorist organizations to those resources are important conditions in countering terrorism.

    On Nov. 15, 2003, two separate explosions occurred in front of Neve Shalom Synagogue and Beth Israel Synagogue in Istanbul, killing 25 people and injuring 262 others.

    On Nov. 20, 2003, twin suicide attacks were staged on HSBC Bank headquarters and British Consulate General in Istanbul, killing 33 people including British Consul General in Istanbul Roger Short, and injuring 450 others.

    Source: Xinhua

    via Turkish minister urges countries to work together to fight terrorism – People’s Daily Online.

  • Synagogue victims to be remembered in Istanbul

    Synagogue victims to be remembered in Istanbul

    Victims of a terrorist attack on Istanbul’s Beth Israel Synagogue seven years ago will be commemorated Monday.

    Rescue workers are seen in front of Neve Shalom Synagogue after the car bomb explosion 15 Nov. 2003. AFP photo
    Rescue workers are seen in front of Neve Shalom Synagogue after the car bomb explosion 15 Nov. 2003. AFP photo

    Şişli District Gov. Mehmet Öklü, Şişli Municipality Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül and Şişli Mufti Ahmet Tüccar, who is the chief rabbi’s representative, will participate in the commemoration on Şişli Nakiye Elgün Street, starting at 10 a.m.

    After Jewish and Islamic prayers are performed, red carnations will be left in memory of those who died in the bombing.

    The Nov. 15, 2003, suicide bombings also targeted the Neve Shalom synagogue and two more attacks were launched five days later – against the British Consulate and the local headquarters of the HSBC bank. A total of 58 people died, along with the four suicide bombers.

    The blast in Istanbul’s Levent district happened in front of the HSBC bank around 10:55 a.m. and turned the building into ruins. Numerous pedestrians passing in front the bank were injured and 11 people died at the scene.

    Targeting the British Consulate, the second bomb exploded in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district, 10 minutes later. After the consulate’s front garden wall collapsed, a fire broke out inside the garden. In the attack, terrorists killed 16 people including Consul General Roger Short.