POLITICAL FANATICISM

 

Rabbi Rifat Sonsino, Ph.D

I grew up in Turkey but I am an American citizen. Recently, I experienced political fanaticism among some Turkish Jews, living either in Turkey or elsewhere, and it is ugly.

A few days ago, I sent a blurb to a chat group, managed by a Turkish Jew in Istanbul, indicating my preference for Biden, and told my readers that in America, Israel is not our only priority. We are also dealing with blatant racism, with the terrible consequences of the Corona virus, with slowing of the economy, with a president who does not support science etc. and who should be replaced by Biden who cares for these issues as many of us. Boy, I opened the flood gates! A tsunami of accusations. I was told that I am a socialist, that I am almost a Nazi sympathizer, a terrible teacher, etc. by people who know nothing about me, all because I did not support Trump who, according to them, was a God-sent for Israel. 

I am a retired Rabbi who has spent my life dealing with Judaism and Israel, but I am also a realist. I strongly believe that Israel will never have peace until the Palestinian problem is resolved, and therefore I am very much in favor of open negotiations and, perhaps even accept certain compromises that are not preferable. Unfortunately, the Palestinians are not in the mood to negotiate, and they will be the losers in the end. But my so-called Turkish-Jewish friends are not in the mood to hear these realities either. They want to support Israel using the rhetoric of the right.

So, in anger, I sent a note to the editor of the chat group and told him that I will no longer contribute to his pages. However, I did not expect the response. Many Turkish Jews, disturbed by my decision, urged me to continue to write and express my opinions, because they enjoyed a good debate, and told me not give in to the crazy fanatics who accused me of all types of sins. I ,therefore, decided to rejoin the debate.  

What did I learn? 1. There are political fanatics everywhere, and it is difficult to debate with them in a civil matter, but we should not give in to them. One can disagree without being disagreeable.  2. I am very concerned about the future of Turkish Jews, my old community; they are living in a country with anti-Semitism all around them, from the top down. Though they speak Turkish and not that much Ladino, they are, still, at best, being tolerated as outsiders. No wonder, they attach themselves zealously to Israel.