Max Blumenthal is interested in what I’m interested in: the construction of Jewish identity in the wake of Zionism, the ways that Jewish “nationality” has affected our status as a minority in other countries than Israel, and the apprehension of anti-Semitism… He’s been in Istanbul, interviewing Sephardic Jews. Some interesting comments. I’ve included excerpts of two interviews below, but you should read the whole thing at Blumenthal’s site. Here’s his first interview with a Turkish Jew:
MB: What about the relationship of Turkish Jews to Israel? Are they pro-Israel?
E: They are basically pro-Israel and believe Israel’s side of the story, that Israel is defending itself and that the Palestinians use terror and provocations. But they don’t like the trouble Israel causes them….
MB: But you can’t understand why people feel angry about the way Israel treats Palestinians?
E: I understand they feel bad about the treatment of Palestinians. People in the world see us creating a Jewish nation that only benefits us at the expense of others. Sometimes I wonder why we can’t be accepted as normal in the world….
MB: What about you? Do you feel like Israel is part of your Jewish identity?
E: I don’t see Israel as a holiday place like other Jews do. It’s too much trouble and the food is horrible. I’m from here, I’m pretty much comfortable being Turkish, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be willing to cry out, “I’m Jewish!”
[Blumenthal’s friend] DUYGU: Do you think you could ever marry a non-Jew?
E: I dated Christian and Muslim men but parents want me to marry a Jew. An Ashkenazi Jew would be better than a non-Jew but they’re not Sephardic and it really comes down to preserving our culture. The community is so small that a lot of people are having trouble finding someone to date. So a lot of them are going to the US or Israel to find someone.
D: So being half-Jewish is not acceptable then?
E: It’s really not convenient to wind up with a non-Jew. It would be terrible for a child to be only half Jewish. They would have no community.
MB: Why couldn’t they just belong to humanity?
E: Humanity? Humanity doesn’t exist when you’re a teenager!
The second interview:
MB: Yesterday “E” told me that Israel’s actions sometimes cause problems for the Jewish community here. Do you agree?
B: Definitely. The big problem is that whenever something happens with Israel we automatically become “Israelites,” not Jews. I don’t see myself as an Israeli Jew — I’m Turkish. But whatever happens in Israel affects us here and safety becomes an issue. Some people here have fish minds and can’t distinguish between Jews and Israelis.
MB: So how has the phenomenon played out in your personal life?
B: I can give you an example. I was importing lingerie for five years. When Israel began bombing Gaza, I was importing all these brands from the states. And a trade magazine for the lingerie retailers [in Turkey] put out a boycott list that focused on Jewish owned brands. My brands were on the list. I’m not a public person so it’s hard to know that I’m Jewish at all. But my brands were listed because I’m Jewish. … The [Facebook] page said, “The owners of these brands help Israel in its efforts against Gaza.” What the hell do I have to do with Israel? These people don’t know the difference between Jews and Israelis. And the extremists take advantage of this [lack of distinction]…
MB: Do you think the government played a productive role at all?
B: The Prime Minister [Recep Erdogan] took a stand saying Jews are not Israelis, they are Turkish. He made the differentiation clearly. That was a very positive thing for us.
MB: Are you a Zionist? It seems like Israel does not factor into your identity very much.
B: I’m not a Zionist. Israel is an abstract place for me just like France. But there is a connection as a Jew and it is a safe haven in a sense. They are welcoming you with open arms and there is a sense of community. At least it’s better to be attacked as a community than on your own. Of course I’d rather go to London but if another Holocaust happens where will I go?
MB: Do you seriously think the Holocaust could happen again? It seems a little far-fetched to me.
B: Maybe? Who knows? It happened before and no one expected it.
MB: Do you have any interest in learning more about the history of the conflict in Israel-Palestine? Or what about taking a tour of the West Bank and seeing the occupation up close for yourself?
B: No, I don’t think I’d be interested in something like that. Right now Israel’s just an abstract place. I have been three times. Basically I go to the beach in Tel Aviv and come back…
