23 Dec 2021; MEMO: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received a delegation of rabbis at the Presidential Complex in Ankara yesterday as part of the first annual Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States summit. The alliance was founded in 2019, by rabbis living in Muslim-majority countries to promote tolerance and coexistence.
Among the Jewish leaders present were the Chief Rabbi of Turkey, Isaak Haleva, his Russian counterpart Berel Lazar and other foreign leading rabbinic authorities.
Speaking on the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East, Erdogan said: "Turkey's greatest desire is a Middle East where societies from different religions, languages and ethnicities live together in peace."
During the meeting Erdogan also said that "Relations between Turkey, Jews and Israel will always be strong", adding that "Economic relations between the two countries are stronger than ever and will continue to grow."
While acknowledging differences with Israel over policies towards Palestinians, he said "our relations with Israel in the fields of economy, trade and tourism are progressing in their own way" but stressed that Israel's "sincere and constructive attitude" to peace efforts will contribute to the normalisation process between Ankara and Tel Aviv.
Last month, Erdogan said Turkey was looking to improve ties with Israel after years of strained relations. In 2018 Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel over deadly attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but appointed a new envoy in 2020. Israel was also accused of espionage after an Israeli couple were arrested after taking photographs of Erdogan's Istanbul residence but were later released, avoiding a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
The Turkish leader also discussed Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, both of which he deemed crimes against humanity. "Turkish lands have also been a haven of peace for Jews who have been persecuted in different parts of the world throughout history," he reminded the delegation, adding that Turkey welcomed the Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition in the late 15th century. Most of Turkey's Jewish population, of approximately 25,000 are descendants of Sephardic Jews who sought sanctuary in the Ottoman Empire following their expulsion from Spain in 1492.
