Turkish Muslim Leader Calls Erdogan on his Zionism Slur
Latest update: March 10th, 2013
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Turkish Deputy PM Bülent Arınç
As known to all, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s declaration that “just like Zionism, anti-Semitism and fascism, it becomes unavoidable that Islamophobia must be regarded as a crime against humanity”—have infuriated Jews around the world.
In his live broadcast on the A9 TV Channel, prominent Turkish Muslim leader Adnan Oktar called on Erdogan to clarify that he did not intend to question the right of Jews to live in the land of their forefathers, nor their existence as a sovereign state with his statement in Vienna.
Here are the comments made by Oktar, who for several years now has been hosting meetings between Israeli and Turkish political and religious leaders:
“They [the Jews] also interpret Zionism in a number of different ways. If our Prime Minister explains what he means when he refers to Zionism, then they would be at ease.
“The Zionism that Mr. Prime Minister is referring to is born by the mentality of some anti-religious Jews. But genuine and devout Jews are strongly opposed to such a belief, they do not accept it. They regard Muslims as Noahide; as people of Prophet Noah. They don’t see Muslims as infidels, but as people of faith.
“The devout Jewish Zionists are talking about is their right to live on the lands of Israel; the right to establish a state and to live in Israel in peace. This is the Zionism they are talking about.
“Prime Minister Erdogan would by no means oppose their Zionism in that sense, and if he personally clarifies some matters, that would prevent him from being misunderstood. So we kindly request Prime Minister Erdogan to explain as soon as possible what he meant when he referred to ‘Zionism.’
“If explicitly stating that one respects Israel’s right to exist in the region is ‘Zionist thinking,’ then that would surely not bother the Prime Minister.”
A SWIFT REPLY
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç answered Oktar’s call during a conference titled: “Muslims, Jews and Christians: Peace is Possible” which was sponsored by the International and Inter-cultural Dialogue Institute and held in the German Federal Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee Conference Hall in Berlin.
Arınç said the following:
“I address my Jewish friends; we cannot harbor any thoughts that will go against your beliefs. We would not say anything that will offend you. That is to say, we would definitely not oppose your beliefs or question the idea that Israel is allowed to exist. You may ask me, ‘You are saying this, but that person stood up and made such a statement, and this offended us greatly.’
“My response to this is the following: We have a government and so does Israel. We have relations with many countries in the world.
“Right now, Turkey surely doesn’t purport to be a global actor, but in world politics and in pursuit of the solution to global crises concerning world peace, Turkey is a stronger country than she used to be in the past.
“She is a country whose words are heeded and honored. Every government is free to criticize another about some certain issues. Just as the Israeli government can readily criticize the government in Turkey today and in the past, we might have also criticized the Israeli government and the administration there. I believe that we have done this.”
Arınç said that governments are criticized or appreciated by looking at their programs and activities, and added, “Be assured that our Prime Minister and ministers have not uttered any words that would go against your holy values. I personally guarantee this to you.”
Arınç added:
“However, we have made the severest criticism of some practices of the current and the former Israeli governments and we may also do so later. This may come from the fact that they go on establishing new settlements when we ask them not to establish them. We can ask them, ‘Why do you bomb Gaza?’ or ‘Why don’t you allow the existence of Palestine within secure borders?’ We can say this when she bombs Lebanon. We can express anything we consider to be an error the Israeli government responsible for. Please don’t reproach us for this. “But we can never question the foundation for Israel’s existence. We will definitely never defame the holy values of Israel, of the Jewish people. From now on, there will be no words, no acts that will sadden you.”
Arınç asked his audience to have faith in his words. He said that Israel is an important country, but so are Turkey, Germany and France. He added that Turkey aims to keep the gates of dialogue open and wants to establish peace by diplomatic means and solve the problems besetting the region.
tell a friendAbout the Author: Sinem Tezyapar is an executive producer on Turkish Television. She is a political and religious commentator and a peace activist. She can be reached on Facebook, and Twitter.
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quite the taquiya statements.but as long as his and our triggers are on safety ,it’s cool.
Double speak. This idiot Erogdan is a raging Anti-Semite and is always trying to appeal to those Arabs and Turks who despise the existence of Israel. His underlings explanation does not pass mustard.
Double speak. This idiot Erogdan is a raging Anti-Semite and is always trying to appeal to those Arabs and Turks who despise the existence of Israel. His underlings explanation does not pass mustard.
Might be a statement of acceptance of defeat!
Since when are islamists considered noahides? And here I though noahides were worshippers of Hashem, not allah…
Actually, both Turkey and Israel should be supporting each other, as they try to find peace with a historical enemy. But the Turkish Government will be challenged in obtaining peace with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, for Erdogan said "I will drink poison to find peace with the Kurds." A far cry from when the Turks, said the Kurds did not exist and referred to them as Mountain Turks. Also, a far cry from when Golda Meir said "the Palestinians do not exist." Now Shimon Peres says "Peace with the Palestinians is urgent." So how does derogatory remarks about Zionism come into this? When both Erdogan and Peres are expressing the urgency in finding peace with these historical enemies.
"Why do you bomb gaza". Seriously, did he say that, how about the thousands of rockets gaza fired into Israel. If he can overlook that reality, he is a total phony! Turkey is on the slide since it has moved toward govt. by islam!
Since when are islamists considered noahides? And here I thought noahides were worshippers of Hashem, not allah…
Unless I am very mistaken, I believe that most Jews regard Muslims as having the same capacity to be righteous Noahides as Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians and others. Of course, all Muslims don't act this way; neither do all of the others, but that does not diminish their potential. That said, Erdogan's words were hurtful because it showed a lack of understanding of the basic concept that Jews have the right to self-determination in their own land, which is essentially what Zionism is, centered on the area where Israel is now. It seems that this aide is trying to make the comment more diplomatic based on a better understanding of this, but is unaware himself of what caused the final response of a bomb sent to Gaza, namely rocket attacks in their thousands, on Israel's population centers. Both Israel and Turkey have come a long way in recognizing the claims of their enemies, and they should work together, as they are surrounded by others (Iranians and Arabs) who are mistrustful and hostile toward them. Erdogan does not have to "drink poison" for peace with the Kurds; all he has to do is recognize their legitimate right to national self-determination.
That will be the big step for Turkey, is to allow the use of the Kurdish language in media and education, legalize outlawed Kurdish political parties, and allow Kurdish lawmakers who were banned from politics to hold public office again. Can the West Bank and Gaza be made into an independent Palestine, which can live right next door to Israel? Maybe the over U.S. $6 billion dollars worth of business they do with each other, can be a start.
That will be the big step for Turkey, is to allow the use of the Kurdish language in media and education, legalize outlawed Kurdish political parties, and allow Kurdish lawmakers who were banned from politics to hold public office again. Can the West Bank and Gaza be made into an independent Palestine, which can live right next door to Israel? Maybe the over U.S. $6 billion dollars worth of business they do with each other, can be a start.
A Palestinian State would be just the Hamas mini caliphate in GAZA
a nightmare for Israel that create monstrous war with many dead. The two state solution is dead. New ideas need to be entertained and
nourished as the Oslo accords has brought Israel nothing but misery.
In the last round of rocket firings into Israel, it was 20 Palestinians dead for every 1 Israeli. Sooner or later Hamas is going to have to realize that Israel is there to stay. Because can they have all of this dead Palestinian blood on their hands? Turkish President Abdullah Gul has called upon Hamas to recognize the State of Israel, so there are Muslims calling for them to do so.
While you are certainly describing Muslims who are not Noahides, the Christian Catholics most especially of the Spanish Inquisition were an example of those who were not Noahides, either. I would venture to go so far as to say that those non-Arabs and non-Muslims, such as exist in the west, who blindly insist that a 23rd Arab state be carved out of the small remnant left for a Jewish national home after Jordan was cut away from the original mandated area for this purpose, no matter that the would-be leaders of this state have sworn to be nothing more than an advance base for the already expressed genocidal intent of the distortedly fanatic theocratic Iranian regime, demonstrated as recently as November, with over 1,000 missiles aimed at Israel's civilian population centers, are not Noahides either, though the Arabs whose case they believe they are arguing, may think they will be a province in some new Caliphate. However, I personally have known people who, as individuals, were born into Muslim communities, and by their decent natures, and the fundamental goodness that occasionally manifests in humans to rise above the evil influences in their environments, as usually may happen with the children of parents who were fundamentally good people, can be classified by their personal behavior as Noahides. I have been told by them that this is because they judge people and wish to be judged as individuals, not part of a group, only, some teachings of which, are abhorrent to this idea…
I hope Liad Bar-El, Beulah Banias, and Tim Upham all get the chance to read the above, as I want to make myself as clear as possible to all…
Very important article of Sinem Tezyapar posted on The Jewish Press. She mentions that the prominent Turkish Muslim leader Adnan Oktar called on Erdogan to clarify that he did not intend to question the right of Jews to live in the land of their forefathers, nor their existence as a sovereign state with his statement in Vienna. And a swift reply comes. Every inch of it must be read.
Very important article of Sinem Tezyapar posted on The Jewish Press. She mentions that the prominent Turkish Muslim leader Adnan Oktar called on Erdogan to clarify that he did not intend to question the right of Jews to live in the land of their forefathers, nor their existence as a sovereign state with his statement in Vienna. And a swift reply comes. Every inch of it must be read.
Ah, Oktar. The same Turkish leader who wrote the 'Holocaust Deception' listed here:
http://standforpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Holocaust-Deception.pdf
And this one:
http://standforpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Palestine.pdf
(in second link, check out chapter beginning page 80, in which Oktar claims Zionists rape and murder women and children).
Ah, Oktar. The same Turkish leader who wrote the 'Holocaust Deception' listed here:
http://standforpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Holocaust-Deception.pdf
And this one:
http://standforpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Palestine.pdf
(in second link, check out chapter beginning page 80, in which Oktar claims Zionists rape and murder women and children).