Jewish cemetery desecrated in IstanbulApril 27, 2011 - 14:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Jewish cemetery located in Beyoglu, Istanbul, was desecrated Tuesday, April 26, by vandals who smashed several headstones to pieces. Eight of the cemetery's gravestones were damaged, as well as some parts of the cemetery's periphery, Ynetnews reports quoting Turkish website Stargazete. According to the report, local police forces were called to the graveyard in the morning hours, once the damage was discovered. The investigation includes gathering tapes from several security cameras stationed in the area. The Police hope the footage will provide them with leads as to any suspects. Passover is still being celebrated in Beyoglu, so members of the Jewish community could not be reached for comments. Jackie Angel, a Turkish Jew living in Istanbul said that he did not believe the incident was cause for concern: "There is nothing to panic about. We don’t even know if this was a hate crime yet. Everything here has been quiet for a long while." Angel added that even Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose relations with Israel have been growing tenser by the day, wished the Jewish community in his country a happy Passover. "He spoke at length about the holiday and said he wished us peace and quiet here." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |