Turkish activists harass Jews outside synagogue, try to prevent Chanukah candle-lighting

Police forced to intervene as antisemitic mob tries to block Jews from reaching synagogue in Istanbul during Chanukah.

By World Israel News Staff

An antisemitic mob attempted to block a group of Jews from visiting a Turkish synagogue over the weekend in a bid to prevent them from holding a candle-lighting ceremony marking the last night of the Chanukah festival.

On Sunday, anti-Israel activists rallied outside the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Beyoğlu, Istanbul ahead of a Chanukah candle-lighting event organized by a local Jewish tour guide, Emi Uygun, who specializes in Jewish heritage tours in Turkey.

Shouting “We don’t want Zionists,” and “These Zionists, leave this country,” the mob confronted Jews en route to the synagogue. The protesters waved Palestine Liberation Organization flags and threatened the Jewish group.

Local police intervened to prevent the mob from attacking the Jewish group.

Officers dispersed the crowd, enabling the Jewish group to proceed to the synagogue.

A number of anti-Israel groups in Turkey announced the candle-lighting ceremony online, calling on supporters to prevent it from being held, pointing to Uygun’s social media posts eulogizing fallen IDF soldiers and celebrating the killing of top Hamas terrorists.

Some protesters later criticized police for intervening.

“They are protecting the Zionist killers as if they were a human shield,” said Hakan Beğdilli. “Even filming a video from the opposite sidewalk is prohibited.”

Another activist who took part in the demonstration wrote online afterward that protesters would not be deterred by the police.

“While assassinations, hunger, and destruction continue in Gaza, friends of Palestine did not remain indifferent to tour guides and participants who praised Zionists visiting Istanbul for Hanukkah. We appeal to those who suppress peaceful protests: Stop the glorifiers of genocide – not us. We will continue to stand against Zionists and their collaborators.”