Turkey: Jewish Community Under Pressure | European Journal

Jewish communities in the Middle East have contracted dramatically in recent decades - apart from a small community in Teheran and a larger one in Turkey,which is well integrated into the Muslim country.500 years ago,Sephardic Jews fled the Spanish Inquisition and settled in the Ottoman Empire. Today,the community numbers some 26,000 members. It still publishes its own newspaper,called Shalom ,runs a hospital,a retirement home and a dozen synagogues. Traditionally,Turkey has been among Israel's allies,but the fighting in Gaza has put a severe strain on the relationship. Istanbul's Jewish community is feeling the tension.