Author: Ibrahim Kurtulus

  • Letter to Staten Island Advance News Paper Editor

    Letter to Staten Island Advance News Paper Editor

    Ibrahim Kurtulus 
    425 Jefferson Ave 
    Staten island, NY 10306 
    6462677488

    Letter to Staten island Staten Island Advance Editor 

    To the Editor :

    Republic of Türkiye (Former Name Turkey):  Global Diplomacy, Undermined by Congresswoman 

    Nicole Malliotakis

    Türkiye has long been a cornerstone of regional stability, bridging East and West through diplomacy, trade, and security. Its strategic significance to NATO and its role in counterterrorism, humanitarian efforts, and mediation cannot be overstated. Yet, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, through her positions and actions, consistently undermines U.S.-Türkiye relations, jeopardizing national interests.

    Türkiye’s diplomatic acumen has been repeatedly demonstrated. In the ongoing Gaza crisis, Türkiye is mediating the release of hostages through its intelligence and diplomatic channels. U.S. Ambassador Jeff Flake has praised Türkiye’s ability to “engage adversaries and mediate complex negotiations.” Similarly, Türkiye facilitated the release of American basketball star Brittney Griner in 2022, mediating between the U.S. and Russia. These examples highlight Türkiye’s role as an indispensable partner.

    Congresswoman Malliotakis’ actions, however, risk alienating this vital ally. She has supported resolutions criticizing Türkiye’s government, ignoring its importance in U.S. efforts to counter Russian aggression and ensure Middle Eastern stability. Former US Ambassador James Jeffrey has aptly noted, “Demonizing Türkiye is not the answer,” underscoring the need for constructive engagement.

    As a NATO member, Türkiye controls access to the Black Sea, playing a critical role in containing Russian aggression. It has also been pivotal in combating terrorism, targeting groups like ISIS and the PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by both Türkiye and the U.S. Ambassador Flake acknowledged Türkiye’s contributions, stating, “Improved U.S.-Türkiye relations advance a range of issues essential for American National Interest and security.”

    Despite this, Malliotakis has aligned with groups sympathetic to the PKK/YPG, Radical Islamic Cleric Fethullah Gulen, undermining counterterrorism collaboration. Her policies jeopardizes joint security initiatives vital to U.S. national interests.

    Türkiye is an emerging economic power and a gateway for trade between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Strengthening economic ties with Türkiye offers significant opportunities for American and Staten Island businesses. Yet, Malliotakis’ divisive rhetoric obstructs such efforts, limiting growth and collaboration.

    Moreover, her approach risks emboldening adversaries like Russia and Iran, who exploit divisions within NATO. By sidelining Türkiye, Malliotakis compromises regional stability, endangering both American and allied interests.

    President Biden recently emphasized Türkiye’s role in Gaza negotiations. Trump to understands Turkiyes role. This reflects an understanding of Türkiye’s value as a partner in achieving global stability. Congresswoman Malliotakis, however, continues to promote policies that strain this relationship, prioritizing political agendas over national security.

    It’s time to recognize Türkiye as a trusted ally and reject the divisive narratives perpetuated by figures like Malliotakis. Strengthening U.S.-Türkiye relations ensures a safer, more prosperous future for both nations. Anything less undermines the very fabric of American diplomacy and security.

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Dongan Hills

  • Letter to Turkish Airlines, USA

    Letter to Turkish Airlines, USA

    Mr. Emre Ismailoglu
    Turkish Airlines New York Main Office
    350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
    New York, NY 10118
    November 22, 2024

     RE: Appeal for Zero-Fee Policy for Transporting Human Remains to Türkiye

    Dear Mr. Ismailoglu,

     I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to respectfully appeal to Turkish Airlines, one of the most esteemed airlines globally, to consider implementing a zero-fee policy for the transportation of human remains to Türkiye. Such a policy would significantly alleviate the emotional and financial burdens on grieving families, particularly those with limited resources, while reinforcing Turkish Airlines’ reputation as a compassionate and socially responsible organization.

     As highlighted by Imam Ahmet Dönmez, the current cost of nearly $2,250  for transporting human remains imposes a severe financial strain on families, especially those relying on modest incomes such as Social Security or government assistance programs like SNAP. These fees are often insurmountable for families already grappling with the devastating loss of a loved one. The Turkish-American community, through voices such as Amerikalı Türk and its editor, Deniz Çelik, has expressed a heartfelt plea for Turkish Airlines to address this pressing issue. This request is not merely logistical but deeply rooted in cultural and emotional values, calling for Turkish Airlines to exemplify the same social responsibility it has consistently demonstrated in other endeavors.

     Turkish Airlines is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative without significant financial strain. In 2023, the airline achieved extraordinary financial success, reporting a net profit exceeding $6 billion—more than double its 2022 profits—alongside revenues of $20.9 billion, reflecting a 13.6% year-on-year growth. 2023: For the first nine months, Turkish Airlines reported a net profit of $2.9 billion, surpassing its previous year’s performance for the same period.  

     By the third quarter of 2024, the airline maintained its remarkable trajectory, earning $1.3 billion in profits. These figures highlight the financial capacity to introduce a zero-fee policy for families in need, further elevating Turkish Airlines’ global standing.

     Pakistan International Airlines provides an excellent precedent by offering free transportation of human remains to grieving families. Such a policy demonstrates profound humanity and respect for families navigating immense loss. By adopting a similar measure, Turkish Airlines can alleviate hardship while enhancing its image as a compassionate and community-centered airline.

     A practical framework for such a policy could involve waiving fees for families with an annual income below $30,000 or those enrolled in government assistance programs like SNAP. This initiative would mirror the free funeral services offered by municipalities within Türkiye, reflecting the airline’s enduring role as a symbol of Turkish unity and care.

     It is worth noting that the Turkish community greatly values Turkish Airlines’ contributions to community events and sponsorships. These efforts have fostered deep admiration and loyalty among diaspora communities. However, implementing a zero-fee policy for the transportation of human remains would surpass all other initiatives, serving as a profound testament to the airline’s compassion and solidarity during families’ most difficult moments.

     As Imam Dönmez and others in our community have emphasized, Turkish Airlines is more than an airline; it is a bridge connecting the Turkish diaspora to their homeland. Adopting this policy would not only reflect respect for cultural values but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the emotional and financial challenges faced by families. Such a step would underscore the airline’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing humanity over profit, strengthening its bond with the global Turkish community.

    I join  Amerikalı Türk and its editor, Deniz Çelik and Imam Ahmet Dönmez kindly urge Turkish Airlines to consider this heartfelt appeal. By adopting a zero-fee or a deeper discount policy for the transportation of human remains, Turkish Airlines would exemplify leadership in corporate social responsibility, further endearing itself to the global Turkish community. We would also welcome a meeting with you to discuss other option.

     Thank you for your attention and consideration of this important matter.

    Respectfully,

    Ibrahim Kurtulus

    Community Activist

    646267488

  • Turkish Flag Raising Ceremony

    Turkish Flag Raising Ceremony

    Turkish Flag Raising Ceremony / Wall Street. Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye

    Turkish Flag Raising Ceremony, Wall Street.

    Cordially invites you to the 23rd Annual Raising of the Turkish Flag at Wall Street’s Historic Bowling Green Park.

    Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkiye 

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams tentatively Scheduled to Attend 

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

    CUMHURİYET 100’UNCU YIL DONUMU

    Sizleri, Wall Street’de Tarihi Bowling Green Park’ta yapilacak olan 23 uncu. 

    Geleneksel Turk Bayrak Cekimi’ne davet etmekten onur duyariz.

    Date: Friday, October 27, 2023  Time: 11:30 am 

    Location: 26 Broadway, New York, New York 10006

    For more information call Ibrahim Kurtulus at 646 267 7488

  • Jewish and Turkish Leaders Hold Meetings in NY Area to Foster Better Communication and Understanding Between the Two Communities

    Jewish and Turkish Leaders Hold Meetings in NY Area to Foster Better Communication and Understanding Between the Two Communities

    Rabbi Joseph Potasnik

    By Staff Writer

    The Turkish delegation has been headed by Erhan Atay, Vice Chair of the Turkish American Business Association (TABA), and the Jewish delegation has been headed by Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis.

    With a mission and goals that were decidedly non-political, the leaders of both communities recognized that while they might not be able to influence political interactions between the governments of Turkey and Israel, they could devote their energies to taking actions that would foster better communication and relations between the members of the Turkish and Jewish communities.

    There was also a tacit understanding that neither party ever wanted to shut down a discussion of any issue regardless of any tensions that may accompany such conversations. Each group agreed that the strength of any dialogue relied on the fact that all issues are on the table. Suggestions of ways to explore any crisis situations in a dignified, intellectual and understanding manner will mark the method in which all participants have agreed to proceed.

    The group took note of the over 500 years of cordial relations between Turks and Jews, referencing in particular the rescue by the Turkish Sultan of the Jews of Spain during the Inquisition, and the saving of Jews by Turkish Consuls during the Holocaust. Mention was also made of the Israeli effort to save Turks during the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, and Turkey’s providing urgently needed fire-fighting planes to Israel during the recent catastrophic fires in Israel.

    The group believes that future relations can successfully be built upon the past, where many years of mutual respect between Turkish and Jewish communities proved how much their peoples had in common.

    The group recognized the urgent need to publicize to the Turkish and Jewish communities the many positive events that have transpired throughout history between these two vibrant communities.

    The group discussed various ideas for possible future projects and activities including:

    1. Changing the perception of Turkey in the US among the Jewish community, and of Israel among the Turkish community.
    2. Throughout the year, representatives of the Jewish community will be writing articles for publication in the Turkish media and the Jewish media will reciprocate with the Turkish journalists.
    3. Joint appearances whenever possible on radio and television programs will take place as well. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik has already invited spokesmen from the Turkish community on his popular radio show.
    4. A film titled “Turkish Passport”, sponsored by the public sector, focusing on the relationship of Germany and Turkey vis a vis the treatment of Jews during World War II will be promoted in well publicized events here in the United States. There are currently several events planned in Germany. Americans should be made aware of the hero status that a number of Turkish diplomats, serving in Europe during WWII achieved and deserved for their selfless acts [often at great personal risk] in order to save Jewish lives.
    5. May is when the Turkish Day Parade and the Israeli Day Parade boast the highest concentration of their respective groups on the streets of New York. It is also American-Jewish Heritage Month. The plan is to highlight Jewish-Turkish Heritage as well. There are joint activities planned throughout the month.
    6. Arranging a trip to Israel and Turkey for a select group of invitees from the Turkish and Jewish communities.
    7. A conference on Turkish-Jewish relations for scholars and the public at large may be planned.
    8. A Turkish magazine, Turk America, published a special Jewish Sephardic issue. It is well documented that Turkey was one of very few countries that welcomed the Jews that were expelled from their homes in Spain in 1492 … and they were welcomed as valued members of the Turkish society. This magazine, which covers this and other issues of Turkish-Jewish history will be distributed to as many Jewish organizations as possible.

    It is sincerely hoped that these efforts will yield better relations and understanding between the two communities which have so much in common and can together create a better and brighter future.

    Among the organizers of these efforts are:
    Erhan Atay; Turkish-American Business Association [US & Turkey], Past President Federation of Turkish American Associations, Vice Chair Turks Living Abroad the Diaspora Organization;
    Ibrahim Kurtulus; Advisor to President of Turkish American Associations, US Rep Turks Living Abroad the Diaspora Organization;
    Ali Cinar; VP Northeast Region Assemby of Turkish American Associations, US Rep Turks Living Abroad the Diaspora Organization;
    Celal Secilmis; President Turkish American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Community Leader;
    Tomris Azeri; President Azerbaijan Society of America, VP Assembly of Turkish American Associations;
    Mark Meirowitz; Board Member Turkish American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Turkish-Jewish Community Activist;
    Rabbi Joseph Potasnik; Executive Director New York Board of Rabbis;
    Rabbi Craig Miller; Board Member Jewish Community Relations Council, New York Board of Rabbis;
    Rabbi Diana Gerson; New York Board of Rabbis;
    Henry Levy; Publisher, The Jewish Post

    The JewishPost

    Photo: Brooklyn Paper

  • EVENT CANCELLED: Genocide and Activism, April 20

    EVENT CANCELLED: Genocide and Activism, April 20

    Ergun Kirlikovali ATAA President elect, Ali Cinar ATAA VP ,Ibrahim Kurtulus, President of Young Turks and myself we have contacted the Center about this program.
    Lemkin coined the word genocide after the Holocaust which was very appropriate. Erroneously he used the Armenian case as an early example. One wonders about how much he knew about the Ottoman history of early 1900s. It appears that he fell victim to the propaganda machine of the Armenians .. Oya Bain

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    We regret to announce that the panel discussion Genocide and Activism: Lemkin’s Legacy for the 21st Century has been CANCELLED.  If you ordered tickets via SmartTix, you will receive a refund for the full amount.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

    Center for Jewish History | www.cjh.org
    15 West 16th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues
    New York, New York 10011

    —– Original Message —– From: Ergun To: [email protected] ; [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 7:45 PM Subject: THE TURKISH-AMERICANS SEND CONCERNS ON JEWISH-ARMENIAN TIES

    Michael Glickman

    Chief Operating Officer, Center for Jewish History

    15 W 16th,

    New York, NY 10011

    Tel:  212-294-8301

    Bruce Slovin

    Member of the BOD, American Jewish Historical Society
    Chairman, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

    Re:  History Of Genocide Initiative – Sunday, January 10, 11:00am at CJH. ”Imagination and Catastrophe: Art and the Aftermath of Genocide”.   (For details: http://www.cjh.org/lemkin/ )

    THE TURKISH-AMERICANS SEND CONCERNS ON JEWISH-ARMENIAN TIES

    “ (U.S.) Senators send concerns on Turkey-Israel  ties” was the catchy title of a recent newspaper article at JTA, a trusted source of news and opinion on events and issues of interest to the Jewish people (source:  http://jta.org/news/article/2009/12/14/1009721/senators-concerned-about-turkey-israel-relations ) which inspired me to use the title of our letter to you.

    I wonder if those US Senators are aware of the unfortunate defamation efforts of the Armenians inexplicably solicited by the Center for Jewish History, demonizing Turkey, Turks, and Turkish-Americans.

    I am of course referring to the event  on January 10, 2010, HISTORY OF GENOCIDE INITIATIVE,  Imagination and Catastrophe: Art and the Aftermath of Genocide  (source: www.cjh.org/lemkin ) , where filmmakers, writers, and musicians allegedly discussed the complexity of art that deals with genocide and its aftermath.

    But what if one of the items was deliberately misrepresented to unsuspecting guests as the settled history of a genocide whereas, in fact, it is neither settled, nor genocide?

    What if such falsifications and deception were conducted solely to defame and demonize an entire nation and a country?

    Would that come under dishonesty in advertising?

    Or would it be considered malicious mass propaganda (i.e. ethocide) ?

    Or even libel?

    Sincerely,

    Ergün KIRLIKOVALI
    President-Elect, ATAA


    If you are intrigued by the above and wish to learn more, please read on:

    IS IT FAIR OR PROPER TO HOST INFAMOUS ARMENIAN FALSIFIERS AND TURK-HATERS AT A RESPECTABLE JEWISH INSTITUTION?

    I am , of course, referring to at least two of the speakers of Armenian descent infamous  for their anti-Turkish bias and premeditated distortion of Turkish history:  Peter Balakian and Atom Egoyan.

    I read one of Balakian’s books which was REPLETE WITH FALSIFICATIONS and slurs.  I alo saw Egoyan’s boring film which was equally deceptive and fallacious.  It is not remarkable that some Armenians resort to slurs, outrageous claims, deceivingly poor math, and plain bad history to exploit others’ feelings.  What is remarkable is the fact that such crude propaganda material can find access to mainstream events.

    Would CJH, for instance, find it fit to organize an event full of anti-Semitic slurs and lies?

    Why then do it for anti-Turkish slurs and lies?

    Isn’t it time we all realize that anti-Semitism is not unlike anti-Turkism?

    And that they are both motivated by the same type of bias, bigotry, anger, and hate?

    And that they both produce same type of  religious and ethnic discrimination ignited and fueled by hate speech?

    And  they both hurt  their victims just as much?

    Falsification, embellishment, and insults seem to be a family tradition at the Balakian family.  Here is  what Holger H. Herwig, a professor of history at the University of Calgary, Canada, wrote in his review of the book “Armenian Golgotha” written by grandfather Balakian and translated by grandson Balakian,

    “…those seeking a scholarly history of the  Armenian genocide will be disappointed.   Balakian revels in stereotypes…  The book would have lost none of its impact with careful editing, removing countless repetitious accounts… and correcting the many historical inaccuracies for the non-professional reader… Its greatest shortcoming, of course, is the lack of source materials.  Throughout, and especially in Chapter u of Vol. ı, Balakian refers to the ‘Plan for the Extinction of the Armenians in Turkey,’ yet he offers no solid evidence for the existence of such a formal national ‘plan’ …”

    Source:   http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:Xf9W8GIY5PUJ:www.edmontonjournal.com/news/genocide%2Bsurvivor%2Briveting%2Bstory/1854142/story.html+Holger+H.+Herwig+Balakian&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

    WOULD CJH HOST A KHOJALY EXHIBITION TO EXPOSE CURRENT ARMENIAN WAR CRIMES?

    I wonder if the CJH would be kind and considerate enough to also display a set of Khojaly paintings to expose Armenian atrocities of 18 years ago in Azerbaijan, for fairness and balance, if not also for friendship and empathy.  After all, those Azeri women and children saw their houses burn, their loved ones slaughtered until it was their turn to be killed.  The loved ones left behind grieve their dethas at the hands of Armenian thugs and terrorists.  And there is an element of art in the photo exhibition, too.

    HOLOCAUST IS A FACT;  GENOCIDE,  A CLAIM
    Jewish Holocaust is a court-proven fact;   Armenian Genocide is a discredited political claim.  To equate them would be an insult to the silent memory of six million Jews who lost their lives just for being Jews.  Armenians, on the other hand, took up arms against their own government; attacked their own neighbors; joined the invading enemy armies; all in efforts to establish an apartheid, where an Armenian minority would rule over a Turkish majority in a so-called greater Armenia on Turkish soil.  But do not take our word for it.  Let’s listen to some powerful Jewish voices:

    “…We reject attempts to create a similarity between the Holocaust and the Armenian allegations. Nothing similar to the Holocaust occurred.  It is a tragedy… what the Armenians went through, but not a genocide.”

    Source:  Israeli Foreign Minister and 1994 Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres, Turkish Daily News, April 10, 2001, Ankara, Turkey

    ***

    “…An appropriate analogy with the Jewish Holocaust could be the systematic extermination of all the Moslem population in the Republic of Independent Armenia, which represented at least 30 to 40 % of the total population of this republic…”

    Source:  The Jewish Times, June 21, 1990, Circulation: 470,000

    ***

    “…This issue [of the Armenian Genocide] should be dealt with by historians and not politicians. We do not support the comparison of the Armenian tragedies to the Jewish Holocaust. Israel will not take a historical and political stance on the issue…”

    Source:  The Israeli Consulate, Los Angeles, USA, April 15, 2001, confirming the Perez statement in response to inquiries from Armenian-American daily Asbarez to the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, asking whether the Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres did actually say the Armenian genocide was meaningless and reject any similarities between the Holocaust and the alleged genocide.

    “…Israel recognizes the tragedy of the Armenians, however, these events cannot be compared with a genocide…”  Source:  Israeli Foreign Office, Official statement, February 19, 2002

    “HITLER QUOTE IS A HOAX”

    Dr. Robert John, a historian of Armenian heritage from New York City stated, according the news article, that a commonly used quotation of an alleged statement by Adolf Hitler about the Armenian massacres was a forgery and should, therefore, not be used.  Dr. John demonstrated how he had traced the original document in the Military Branch of the National Archives of the U.S.A. after being handed a folder bearing the quotation at a rally outside the United Nations building in New York following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. ..

    To read more:
    http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:6ztdC2UPN9sJ:www.tallarmeniantale.com/hitler-quote.htm+historian+Armenian+descent+Hitler&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

    ***

    ARMENIAN LEADER’S CONFESSIONS

    ‘… The war with us was inevitable… We had not done all that was necessary for us to have done to evade war. We ought to have used peaceful language with the Turks…We had no information about the real strength of the Turks and relied on ours. This was the fundamental error. We were not afraid of war because we thought we could win… Our army was well fed and well armed and [clothed] but it did not fight. The troops were constantly retreating and deserting their positions ; they threw away their arms and dispersed in the villages. …In spite of the fact that the Armenians had better material and better support, their armies lost. ….. the advancing Turks fought only against the regular soldiers ; they did not carry the battle to the civilian sector. ….the Turkish soldiers were well-disciplined and that there had not been any massacres…’

    Source:  The 1923 Bucharest Manifesto of Hovhannes Katchaznouni, the first PM of the Independent Armenian Republic, published by the Armenian Information Service Suite 7D, 471 Park Ave., New York 22 – 1955.

    VERDICT WITHOUT DUE PROCESS IS LYNCHING

    Those who take the Armenian “allegations” of genocide at face value seem to also ignore the following:

    Genocide is a legal, technical term defined by the U.N. 1948 convention and genocide verdict can only be given by a “competent court” after “due process” where both sides are properly represented and evidence mutually cross examined.

    For a genocide verdict, the accusers must prove “intent” at a competent court and after due process.  This could never be done by the Armenians whose evidence mostly rely on hearsay and forgeries.  Such a “competent court” was never convened in the case of Turkish-Armenian conflict and a genocide verdict does not exist  (save a Kangaroo court in occupied Istanbul in 1920 where partisanship, vendettas, and revenge motives left no room for due process.)

    Armenian Genocide claim is a long discredited political claim, not a historical fact.  It reflects bias against Turks. Therefore, the  term genocide must be used with the qualifier “alleged”, for scholarly objectivity and truth.

    ISRAELIS ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST GENOCIDE

    “…During WWI, the Russians invaded the Caucasus, and with the help of local Armenians, they have chased Turks and Jews, killed whoever they could catch, and then pillaged and plundered Turkish and Jewish villages. He was about 10 years old and my father-in-law was only 3 and he said there is no way he could forget that exodus, that fleeing. Turks and Jews brought with them to Anatolia whatever they could pack with them. Jewish families first went to Van (a city by the lake Van in Eastern Anatolia). While some Jewish families settled there, others continued their travel to settle in Adana and other places, and still others went as far as Palestine. What I am trying to my Armenian friends is this: everything has a prior history. If the Armenian attack and kill Turks, Turks, in their quest to avenge those Armenian atrocities, may have caused massacres in their counter attacks and chases. Aren’t these ‘eye for an eye’ feuds conventional and normal under the conditions of those days? In contrast, what the Germans did to 6 million Jews cannot be explained by such feuds, chases, or civil wars; there was absolutely no reason for the Holocaust. I never quite understood how the Armenians want to be included in the same category as the Jews of Holocaust. Let’s leave those old issues and the old world behind. Let’s look at the present. Let’s talk about what we can do to create a beautiful, happy new world… We should learn from those old stories and history; we should talk about the truth and agree on it; and let’s together build a more secure world to hand over to our children…Nobody benefits from feuds, hatred, and animosity; one can only gain tears that way; let’s worry about tomorrow, brothers, tomorrow! “

    When permission was requested from the writer for quoting him, he responded:

    “…I see no problem in your quoting my story…. Those who create all this fuss around the Armenian issue do not want to understand one thing:  instead of teaching love and brotherhood to their kids, they are teaching grudge and hatred (like the Palestinians do). What do they want to achieve with this attitude? Enough of this animosity already…The age old Armenian issue no longer interests me.  My children’s future is more important…”

    Momo Asafrana, December 09, 2004, responding to a request for permission to publish his story above.

    ***

    “…We have first hand information and evidence of Armenian atrocities against our people (Jews). Members of our family witnessed the murder of 148 members of our family near Erzurum, Turkey, by Armenian neighbors, bent on destroying anything and anybody remotely Jewish and/or Muslim… Armenians were in league with Hitler in the last war, on his premise to grant themselves government if, in return, the Armenians would help exterminate Jews. Armenians were also hearty proponents of the anti-Semitic acts in league with the Russian Communists…”

    Source:  Elihu Ben Levi, Vacaville, California. San Francisco Chronicle, December 11, 1983

    ***

    When the most powerful nation in the world, 15th century Spain, openly and publicly threatened genocide against the Jewish people for the stated crime of practicing their own religion-Judaism, it was a Muslim government, the Ottoman Empire, which stepped in and saved the Jewish people from destruction. It was the Ottoman Empire that saved the Jews of Spain and to a great extent, Portugal, from certain death which the government threatened them with.   Unlike the Christian kingdoms of Spain and Portugal, the Ottoman Empire never had a system of government-sponsored hatred against the Jewish people. Even though Jews were dhimmis, the government of the Ottoman Empire never set in place specific targeted anti-Jewish policies such as those that existed in Christian Europe. It is a sad reality that today many people only remember the Ottoman Turks for alleged bad treatment of minorities, when clearly, they have done many positive things that we today hundreds of years later should continue to praise.

    Source:  HOW THE TURKS SAVED THE JEWS FROM GENOCIDE ,  by Shelomo Alfassa, www.alfassa.com,  Israel Insider Magazine / October 10, 2007

    ***

    “…To validate a spurious genocide allegations, the Armenians curry favor with the Jewish people, and manipulate the Holocaust tragedy to gain some undeserved recognition from this uniquely Jewish experience. Historical evidences point to a devious Armenian collusion with Hitler to exterminate the Jews during WW II. Today, no matter how much the Armenians try to conceal this heinous episode from the public knowledge the Armenian conspiracy with Hitler is in the history books — indelibly. Soon it will be in the public conscience too… In early 1930s, when Hitler ascended to power, he began cultivating the Armenians to use their long-standing and strong anti-semitic feelings in his plans and policy. The Armenians, through their publications, radio broadcasts and meetings supported and cheered the Nazis on their attacks on Jews. Alfred Rosenberg, who was to become later Hitler’s Minister of the Occupied Territories, declared that the Armenians were Indo-European, or Aryans, which honored them and put them in the same league with the Nazis. In Hitler’s foreign policy the Armenians fitted very nicely too. Hitler’s future invasion plans of Russia provided a golden opportunity for the Armenians to liberate what they considered to be “Historic Armenia” from the Soviet as well as the Turkish rule…”

    Source:  Ayhan Ozer , THE ARMENIAN-NAZI COLLABORATION IN WW II  : http://www.tallarmeniantale.com/Nazi-Collaboration.htm

    WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS TRUTH AND HONESTY,  NOT SELECTIVE MORALITY.

    If one cherishes values like objectivity, truth, and honesty, then one should use the phrase  “Turkish-Armenian conflict”.  Asking someone “Do you accept or deny Armenian Genocide” shows anti-Turkish bias. The question, in all fairness, should be re-phrased: “What is your stand on the Turkish-Armenian conflict?”

    Turks believe it was a civil war within a world war, engineered, provoked, and waged by the Armenians with active support from Russia, England, and France, and passive support from the U.S. diplomats, missionaries, media, and others with anti-Turkish agendas, all eyeing the vast territories of the collapsing Ottoman Empire. [1]
    Most Armenians claim that  the wartime Tereset (temporary resettlement) of the Armenians was genocide, based on dubious evidence, hearsay, forgeries, and highly refutable arguments, totally ignoring the Armenian complicity in war crimes ranging from raids, rebellions, and terrorism to treason, causing many casualties in the Muslim, mostly Turkish, community, all of which which triggered the Tereset.   Genocide is  a legal term with a very specific definition requiring, not a political, but a LEGAL judgment, which the Armenians lack.  There is massive evidence to the contrary, clearly pointing to a civil war fought by Muslim and Christian irregulars.
    GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS IGNORE “THE SIX T’S OF THE TURKISH-ARMENIAN CONFLICT”

    While some amongst us may be forgiven for taking the ceaseless Armenian propaganda at face value and believing blatant Armenian falsifications [2] merely because they are repeated so often, it is difficult and painful for people like us, sons and daughters of  the Turkish survivors most of whose signatures you see below. [3]

    Those seemingly endless “War years” of 1912-1922  (seferberlik yillari) brought wide-spread death and destruction on to all Ottoman citizens. No Turkish family was left untouched, those of most of the signatories’ below included.  Those nameless, faceless, selfless Turkish victims are killed for a second time today with politically motivated and baseless charges of Armenian genocide.

    Allegations of Armenian genocide are racist and dishonest history.

    They are racist because they imply only Armenian (or Christian) dead count, the Turkish (or Muslim) dead do not.  [4]  The former must be remembered and grieved; the latter must be ignored and forgotten.  Do you know how many Muslims, mostly Turks, were killed during World War One?  Answer: About 3 million, including half a million of them at the hands of well-armed, well-motivated, and ruthless Armenian revolutionaries and para-military thugs. [3,5]  Compare that with less than 300,000 Armenian casualties [8] which number is gradually magnified to 1.5 million over the years through Armenian propaganda.

    And the allegations of Armenian genocide are dishonest because they simply dismiss

    “THE SIX T’S OF THE TURKISH-ARMENIAN CONFLICT”

    1) TUMULT (as in numerous Armenian armed uprisings between 1890 and 1920)  [6,7]

    2) TERRORISM (by Armenian nationalists and militias victimizing Ottoman-Muslims between 1882-1920)  [8,9]

    3) TREASON (Armenians joining the invading enemy armies as early as 1914 and lasting until 1921)  [6,7,8,9,10]

    4) TERRITORIAL DEMANDS (from 1877 to present, where Armenians were a minority, not a majority, attempting to establish Greater Armenia.  Ironically, if the Armenians succeeded, it would be one of the first apartheids of the 20th Century, with a Christian minority ruling over a Muslim majority )  [1-11]

    5) TURKISH SUFFERING AND LOSSES (i.e. those caused by the Armenian nationalists: 524,000 Muslims, mostly Turks, met their tragic end at the hands of Armenian revolutionaries during WWI, per Turkish Historical Society. This figure is not to be confused with 2.5 million Muslim dead who lost their lives due to non-Armenian causes during WWI. Grand total: more than 3 million, according to Justin McCarthy) [7-10]

    6) TERESET (temporary resettlement) triggered by the first five T’s above and amply documented as such; not to be equated to the Armenian misrepresentations as genocide.)  [12]

    Armenians, thus, effectively put an end to their millennium of relatively peaceful and co-habitation in Anatolia with Turks, Kurds, Circassians, and other Muslims by killing their Muslim neighbors and openly joining the invading enemy. Muslims were only defending their home like any citizen anywhere would do.

    VERDICT WITHOUT DUE PROCESS AMOUNTS TO LYNCHING

    Those who take the Armenian “allegations” of genocide at face value seem to also ignore the following facts concerning international law:

    1- Genocide is a legal, technical term precisely defined by the U.N. 1948 convention (Like all proper laws, it is not retroactive to 1915.)   [13]

    2- Genocide verdict can only be given by a “competent court” after “due process” where both sides are properly represented and evidence mutually cross examined.  [14]

    3-  For a genocide verdict, the accusers must prove “intent” and “motive” at a competent court and by allowing due process to run its natural course.  This was not, perhaps cannot ever be, done by the Armenians, whose evidence mostly fall into five major categories:  hearsay,  mis-representations, exaggerations, forgeries, and “other”.  [15]

    4- Such a “competent court” was never convened in the case of Turkish-Armenian conflict and a genocide verdict does not exist  (save a Kangaroo court in occupied Istanbul in 1920 where partisanship, vendettas, and revenge motives left no room for due process.)  [8]

    5-  Genocide claim is political, not historical or factual.  It reflects bias against Turks. Therefore, the  term genocide must be used with the qualifier “alleged”, for scholarly objectivity and truth. [1-15]

    6- Recognizing Armenian claim as genocide will deeply insult Turkish-Americans  as well as Turkish-Europeans, and Turks around the globe.  Such a conduct would negatively influence the  excellent relations currently enjoyed between the U.S. and Turkey, if not the West and Turkey.  It will, no doubt, please Armenian lobbies in the U.S. Europe and Turkey but disappoint, insult, and outrage Turkey,  one of America’s closest allies since the Korean War of  1950-53. Turks stood shoulder to shoulder with Americans in Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and more.   Armenian lobbies will have been allowed to poison  the U.S.-Turkey relations.  American gratitude and thanks will appear to come in the form of the worst insult that can be dished out to an entire nation.

    7- History is not a matter of “conviction, consensus,  political resolutions, propaganda, or public relations.” History is a matter of research, peer review, thoughtful debate, and honest scholarship. Even historians, by definition, cannot decide on a genocide verdict, which is reserved only for a “competent tribunal” with its legal expertise and due process.

    8- What we witness today, therefore, amounts to lynching [14] of the Turks by Armenians and their supporters to satisfy the age old Armenian hate, bias, and bigotry.  American values like fairness, presumption of innocence until proven guilty, objectivity, balance, honesty, and freedom of speech are stumped under the fanatic Armenian feet.  Unprovoked , unjustified, and unfair defamation of Turkey, one of America’s closest allies in the troubled Middle East, the Balkans, and the Caucasus, in order to appease some nagging Armenian activists runs counter to American interests.

    9- Hate-based, divisive, polarizing, and historically biased proclamations, such as Schiff’s HR 106, have never been an American way to do business. Why start now?

    10- Those who claim genocide verdict [14]  today, based on the much discredited Armenian evidence, are actually engaging in “conviction and execution without due process”, which is the dictionary definition of “lynch mobs”.

    Those who claim Turks are in the wrong need to show sensitivity to victims of WWI and/or their descendants—without remembering or respecting the Muslim, mostly Turkish, victims of the same WWI due to same wartime conditions—are insulting the silent memory of millions of Muslim, mostly Turkish, victims of WWI tragedy.  They are also engaging in Ethocide [16],

    A new term coined by a Turkish-American in 2003, Ethocide means “systematic extermination of ethics via malicious mass deception for political, economical, religious, social, and other gain.”  Ethocide comes with a new Turkish companion term: “AHLAKKIRIM”  [17]

    If an apology is needed today, then the entire humanity should apologize for the mistakes and excesses of the past generations, without resorting to “selective morality” and discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, or religion.  And if more sensitivity is required, then it should be provided by all for all, without resorting to division, polarization, hostility, bias, or bigotry.  Our accounts of WWI are replete with expressions of sadness and sympathy for all the victims of WWI, Turk, Kurd, Laz, Circassian, Armenian, Arab, Greek, Jew, and all others.  We do not feel we should segregate the Armenians or others from this lot and grieve only for their dead.

    If an apology is needed today, we should all start apologizing for the world hunger, global warming, aids epidemics, endless wars, inequity in income distribution, plundering human and natural resources, violation of civil rights of women, children, and some cases all humans, global lack of education and health care,  and more.

    ISN’T IT TIME TO STOP FIGHTING THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND GIVE PEACE A CHANCE?

    I would like to conclude with a heartfelt message of peace:  I wish the entire world just and lasting peace, good health, happy life in a balanced and thriving nature, and prosperity  in the coming years.

    As Ataturk so ably put it for all of us:  “Peace at home, Peace in the World.”

    IN CONCLUSION,

    I ask that such ethocidal treatment of the alleged Armenian genocide–which has all the tell-tale signs of some sort of retaliation for the “one minute” incident last year at Davos between Erdogan and Perez–be abandoned at the Center for Jewish History.   Multi-faceted human tragedies of yesterday ought not be the one-sided propaganda tools to settle political scores of today.

    Peace

    Ergun Kirlikovali

    Son of Turkish survivors from both paternal and maternal parents

    www.turkla.com

    www.ethocide.com

    ………………………..

    References:

    [1]  History of the Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey, Vol I & II, Stanford Shaw (Cambridge University Press, London, New York, Melbourne, 1976)

    [2]  The Story Behind Ambassador Morgenthau’s Story, Heath W. Lowry ( The Isis Press, Istanbul, Turkey, 1990)

    [3]  The Ottoman Peoples and the End of Empire, Justin McCarthy (Arnold, London, U.K., 2001

    [4]  Declaration Signed by 69 Prominent North American Academicians, New York Times and Washington Post, may 19, 1985 (for a copy:  http://www.turkla.com/yazar.php?mid=338&yid=4

    [5]  Ermeniler:  Sürgün ve Göç, Türk Tarih Kurumu (Ankara, Turkey, 2004)

    [6]  Houshamatyan of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Centennial, Album-Atlas, Volume I, Epic Battles, 1890-1914 (The Next Day Color Printing, Inc., Glendale, CA, U.S.A., 2006)

    [7]  The Armenian Rebellion at Van, Justin McCarthy, Esat Arslan, Cemaletting Taskiran, Omer Turan (The University of Utah Press, Salt lake City, USA, 2006)

    [8]  The Armenian File, Kamuran Gurun (Rustem Bookshop, Mersin, Turkey, 1985)

    [9]  The Armenians in History and the Armenian Question, Esat Uras (Documentary Publications, Istanbul, Turkey, 1988)

    [10]  Free E-Book : “Genocide Of Truth” by Sukru Server Aya, Based On Neutral or Anti-Turkish Sources ( Istanbul Commerce University, Turkey, 2008)  For a copy:  http://armenians-1915.blogspot.com/2008/04/2429-new-e-book-genocide-of-truth-based.html

    [11] “Pursuing the Just Cause of Their People”, Michael M. Gunter (Greenwood Press, New York, USA, 1986)

    [12]  “Ermenilerin Zorunlu Göçü, 1915-1917, Kemal Cicek (Turk tarih Kurumu, Ankara, Turkey, 2005)

    [13]  Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948: http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html

    [14]  Article 6, Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948: http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html

    [15]  Article 2, Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948: http://www.hrweb.org/legal/genocide.html

    [16]  Ergun KIRLIKOVALI,  2003, “It Was Not ‘Genocide’; It was – and still is – ‘Ethocide’ “, http://www.turkiye.net/bbasol/gorusler27.htm ;

    [17]  Ergun KIRLIKOVALI, 2003, “SOYKIRIM DEGIL, AHLAKKIRIM ”
    ( http://www.turkla.com/yazar.php?mid=323&yid=4 )

  • TURKISH–ISRAELI FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE

    TURKISH–ISRAELI FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE

    Dear Member,

    We are planning to extend our Turkish Israel Friendship and Grassroots Committee. Besides its previous efforts to develop better realtionships between the two countries, we are now aiming to discuss the latest developments.

    Our existing committee consist of following people :

    Mr. Ibrahim Kurtulus, Chairman
    Mr. Rafael Sadi, Co-Chairman
    Dr. J. E. Botton
    Mr. Vedat Aslay

    Please feel to submit your name to our committee or send us your comments below.