CNN Turk: Explosion rocks Neveh Shalom synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey; 23 reported dead

Haaretz News Ticker ^ | 11/15/2003 | Reuters

[yonif]

CNN Turk: Explosion rocks Neveh Shalom synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey; five reported dead (Reuters)

[Pro-Bush]

Ping!

Ia this what Daleel_almojahid warned about?

Sheikh Osama bin laden has given the mojahideen the orders to prepare for a long war with America and its allies also a war on the family of Saud in the Arabian Peninsula and the war has started.

[yonif]

Give assistance in investigating attack, etc.

[drlevy88]

I can imagine humanitarian aid, but I'm trying to imagine what would happen if there was (as rarely, but not never, occurs) a synagogue attack in the USA and Sharon went to President Bush with the proposal that they do a joint task force with the FBI. I'd think they'd get told very politely and discreetly thanks but no thanks.

[yonif]

Previous attacks on that place were in 1986 and 1992

For example, Abu Nidal's gang took part in the massacre at Istanbul's Neveh Shalom synagogue in September 1986. (http://www.danielpipes.org/article/262)

In recent years Iran, or surrogate organisations acting on its behalf, have staged terrorist attacks against Jewish communities or Israeli institutions. For example: the March 1992 attack against the Neveh Shalom Synagogue in Istanbul; the March 1992 assassination of a security guard at the Israel Embassy in Ankara; the 1992 attempted assassination of Turkish Jewish community leader, Jacques Kimhi; the March 1992 bombing of the Israel Embassy in Buenos Aires; the July 1994 bombing of the AMIA building in Buenos Aires (referred to above). All are now known to have been organised by Iran. (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmfaff/405/405we14.htm)

[yonif]

Right now Israel Radio reports that Security officials of the Israeli Embassy are there on the site, briefing the Israeli government. Israel is a Jewish state, and whatever happens to Jews, is Israel's business as well, no matter where it happens.

[drlevy88]

(unless it appeared that international terrorists were involved, in which case all bets are off)

[yonif]

Haaretz News Ticker:

Report: Istanbul explosions rocked two separate synagogues, cause by two car bombs

[yonif]

Israel Radio reports that 11 are dead so far, but it looks to be rising. Black smoke all over area, hard to see. Turkish police is out in full force. Could be more car bombs around. All Jewish sites in Turkey have been added security.

[yonif]

Israel Radio looking at Arab media, says that there are 11 dead, 30 injured.

2 large explosions. 1 of the explosions, Turkish TV says, was caused by a gas canister which set off with the car bomb.

[drlevy88]

Turkey is a rare near-secular Islamic state, and for it to let it publicly appear that it was letting Israel be a partner in its in-state investigations, would be like bringing a spark to a powderkeg. I don't think even Israel would want that. Sharon can get "briefed" all he wants, but it's still Turkey's land unless Sharon conquers it in war.

[yonif]

Israel Radio has former Israeli ambassador to Turkey. He says that these sites have very high security and are surrounded because of the last terror attack there in the 80s. Israeli officials have visited this place in the past, and even gave speeches there. Large Jewish community. The last terror attack there, in the mid 1980s, it is recalled was during Yom Kippur. These places are usually very crowded on Saturday.

[yonif]

Israel and Turkey have good relations and even have joint military manuvers.

I am not saying Israel is going to help Turkey investigate, I am saying that Israel is offering Turkey any help it wants.

[yonif]

Haaretz News Ticker:

Israel`s Foreign Ministry confirms two explosions at two separate synagogues in Istanbul

[drlevy88]

I hope Israel can help, and I think the US would be amiss not to offer it too, because there might be an al-Qaeda problem here. Ultimately, the call is up to Turkey.

[yonif]

Explosions happened during Jewish prayer.

[yonif]

And also, this concerns Israel because many of its citizens go to Turkey and could have been in the area.

[yonif]

Explosions reported in Istanbul; 11 people killed
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Simultaneous explosions ripped through downtown Istanbul near two synagogues on Saturday, killing 11 people, Turkish television reported.
One explosion went off near the Neve Shalom synagogue, the city's largest. The other severely damaged the Beth Israel Synagogue in the affluent district of Sisli, three miles away, reports said.

Television footage showed medical teams carrying away several people, some with charred faces. Firefighters reported 11 dead and several more injured, private CNN-Turk television reported.

Private NTV television said one of the explosions was triggered by a natural gas leak, but CNN-Turk television said police were investigating whether the explosions were deliberate attacks.

In 1986, gunmen killed 22 worshippers and wounded six during a Sabbath service at the synagogue.

[yonif]

Last Update: 15/11/2003 10:52

At least 11 people killed in two large explosion near Istanbul synagogues

By News Agencies



Two explosions rocked Istanbul early Saturday, not
far from two Istanbul synagogues, killing 11
people and seriously injuring at least 30, private
CNN-Turk television said.




One explosion occurred near
Istanbul's largest synagogue,
Neve Shalom, and a second
blast took place near Beth
Israel synagogue.

Army Radio reported that the
explosions were caused by car
bombs and that Israel's
Foreign Ministry confirmed

that two explosions rocked two separate
synagogues in Istanbul.

CNN Turk showed pictures of injured people
covered in blood being carried on stretchers
from the Neve Shalom synagogue in Istanbul's
Sisli district.

Private NTV television said the explosions were
triggered by a natural gas leak, used to heat
houses and for cooking. The fire department
said at least 11 people were killed in the
explosions, CNN-Turk television reported.

But CNN-Turk television said police were
investigating whether the explosions were an
attack.

Jewish sites have been targeted in recent
attacks blamed on militants linked to Osama bin
Laden's Al-Qaida, notably in Casablanca,
Morocco in May and a Tunisian synagogue bombed
in April 2002.

The Neve Shalom synagogue was the sight of an
attack by gunmen in 1986. The gunmen,
believed to be Palestinians, killed 22
worshippers and wounded six during a Sabbath
service.

[yonif]

Turkish TV showing images of blown up cars, body bags, burned up bodies, many emergency services (much experience due to earthquakes), badly damaged buildings, much debris.

[drlevy88]

true, like the usa state department would have similar concerns for us tourists. failure to cooperate could bring financial burdens on turkey from reduced tourism.