This week we mourn the passing of Avraham Goldman, Yonatan Suher, and Simcha Damri who were killed on Saturday, March 19 in a terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey. The three were a part of a culinary tour group that included 14 Israelis. Mehmet Ozturk, inspired by the malicious Jew-hatred that ISIS spreads worldwide, killed himself in the suicide bombing along with three Israelis and two others. Avraham Goldman and Yonatan Suher both held dual Israeli – American citizenship. Of the 36 wounded in the attack, 10 were Israeli. The wounded Israelis have been flown back to Israel after receiving preliminary medical care in Turkey.
Turkey’s Prime Minister and President have spoken out against the terror attacks and have conveyed their sympathies to their counterparts in the Israeli government. The terrorist, Mehmet Ozturk, was from a Turkish province bordering Syria, and years ago was reported by his family as missing. Turkey is a part of the coalition fighting ISIS, and has been battling a recent spate of terror attacks by a splinter Kurdish group that carries out terrorist attacks. The Turkish government has been very co-operative with the Israeli government in responding to the situation and aiding those in need.
Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the attacks, stating:
“Terrorism sows death around the world. Israel is at the forefront of the fight against global terrorism. This struggle is first of all military, but no less is it a moral struggle. The key to the moral fight against terrorism is to make it clear that terrorism, the murder of innocents, has no justification anywhere – not in Istanbul or the Ivory Coast or Jerusalem. Whoever does not condemn terrorism, supports terrorism.”
Israel has been seeking the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries, but has yet to agree on a number of substantive issues. One of those is Turkey’s opposition to the security blockade of Gaza, which is currently controlled by the terrorist organization, Hamas. Turkey has also allowed Hamas leaders to find refuge and plot attacks from Turkey. One can only hope that Turkey will realize that ISIS and Hamas are both terrorist organizations that must be defeated and destroyed. This must be a reminder for the world to stand up against anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiments wherever they are expressed. May the memory of these three be to us a blessing and may God be with their families and the families of those injured.
