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ERDOGAN HANDS BACK CONFISCATED PROPERTY
By Sami Kohen
Jewish Chronicle
http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/53937/erdogan-hands-back-confiscated-property
Sept 1 2011
The Turkish government has decided to return all confiscated property
belonging to the country's non-Muslim communities, including Jews.
Over the past seven decades, the Turkish state has sequestered
churches, shuls, cemeteries, hospitals, orphanages and other real
estate owned by the Christian and Jewish communities following a
ruling in 1936. According to the government, these properties will
be restituted within a year.
The Greek and Armenian communities will benefit greatly as they
have many assets to claim back, including houses, shops and business
buildings.
The Jewish community in Istanbul, which numbers about 20,000, already
owns most of its community buildings and all of its synagogues. Some
real estate that is in the hands of the state will now be claimed back.
But the 1800-strong Jewish community in Izmir faces a potential tussle
over its assets. Its seven synagogues come under the jurisdiction
of the state even though they are run by the community, and it is
unclear whether it will be able to reclaim full ownership.
of question. In most towns, the old shuls have been turned into
other premises. In Edirne, which used to have a large community, the
state-owned central synagogue has been earmarked as a cultural centre.
Announcing his decision on restitution, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan reassured the Christian and Jewish communities that the
discrimination of the past is over.
By Sami Kohen
Jewish Chronicle
http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/53937/erdogan-hands-back-confiscated-property
Sept 1 2011
The Turkish government has decided to return all confiscated property
belonging to the country's non-Muslim communities, including Jews.
Over the past seven decades, the Turkish state has sequestered
churches, shuls, cemeteries, hospitals, orphanages and other real
estate owned by the Christian and Jewish communities following a
ruling in 1936. According to the government, these properties will
be restituted within a year.
The Greek and Armenian communities will benefit greatly as they
have many assets to claim back, including houses, shops and business
buildings.
The Jewish community in Istanbul, which numbers about 20,000, already
owns most of its community buildings and all of its synagogues. Some
real estate that is in the hands of the state will now be claimed back.
But the 1800-strong Jewish community in Izmir faces a potential tussle
over its assets. Its seven synagogues come under the jurisdiction
of the state even though they are run by the community, and it is
unclear whether it will be able to reclaim full ownership.
of question. In most towns, the old shuls have been turned into
other premises. In Edirne, which used to have a large community, the
state-owned central synagogue has been earmarked as a cultural centre.
Announcing his decision on restitution, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan reassured the Christian and Jewish communities that the
discrimination of the past is over.