Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Synagogue in Izmir, Turkey, targeted by firebomb

A man threw a Molotov cocktail onto the sidewalk outside Beth Israel Synagogue; no damage was reported.

Beth Israel Synagogue in Izmir, Turkey. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Beth Israel Synagogue in Izmir, Turkey. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Amid the persecution Jews face in Turkey, a synagogue in the city of Izmir on the Aegean coast was firebombed.

A man threw a Molotov cocktail last week onto the sidewalk outside of Beth Israel Synagogue, which ended up not being damaged.

The incident was first reported on Tuesday by the Turkish-language Salom Jewish news site.

“There is no difference between attacks targeting synagogues, churches and mosques; they all target social peace with their hate,” said Mustafa Yeneroğlu, the Istanbul lawmaker for the ruling Justice and Development Party.

The Turkish-Jewish community, in a statement, lauded the Izmir Security Directorate for responding decisively in apprehending the suspect and denounced “this heinous attack threatening our lives, peace and unity.”

The Israeli defense minister said the IDF would control the area of Southern Lebanon up to the Litani River.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog highlighted concerns over the safety and security of Christian communities in the Middle East.
Authorities detained Rima Hassan for several hours under suspicion of posting in support of terrorism on March 26.
U.N. investigators found a “factual basis” for the allegations of sexual assault made by a female ‌aide.
The Islamist terror group framed the call as a response to Israel’s closing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
U.S. citizens are urged to depart via overland routes as Iran-aligned terrorists may attack.