Turkey's Jews and Their Immigration to Israel

In: Middle Eastern studies, Band 42, Heft 3, S. 505-519

Abstract

An historical account of the migration of Jews from Turkey to Israel describes its size/scope; group characteristics of the immigrants; & push/pull factors that motivated the migration. Attention is given to legislative & administrative measures taken by both countries to handle what was the second largest mass emigration movement out of Turkey. The history of Jews in Turkey is traced from the early years of modern Turkey that were dominated by the process of nation building, to the rise of Nazism in Europe, & the spread of anti-Semitism. The great wave of migration that lasted from 1948 to 1951 is detailed, along with the size & character of subsequent migrations to Israel. The actors, factors, & conditions involved in both the mass migration & later migrations are addressed, along with differences between the administrative traditions of the two relatively young states of Turkey & Israel, especially in regard to regulations & policies on citizenship & international migration. The implications for both Turkey & Israel of the migration of Turkish Jews are discussed. J. Lindroth