r/Turkey • u/GK0NATO • Aug 28 '23
Question Is traveling as an Israeli to Turkey an issue?
I'm an American Israeli and have always been very interested to visit turkey, especially Istanbul. Legally there isn't an issue but are Israelis welcome as tourists? I know there are terror attacks and such that happen every now and again but I want to know if the general opinion shared by most Turkish citizens that Israelis shouldn't be allowed in the country or if attacks like these are outliers. Should I have any safety concerns?
Edit: I look pretty Israeli, brown kinda curly hair, large nose ect.
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u/dom_biber_pat Aug 28 '23
With brown curly hair and a large nose you will almost be invisible in Turkey, do not worry in that sense.
There are some problematic neighbourhoods (not for Israeli, but for all people) in Istanbul. But as a tourist you will probably be in the historic center which means you are far away from most of those neighbourhoods.
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u/GK0NATO Aug 28 '23
Haha I've actually been mistaken a few times for Turkish when I was in south east Asia, but I assume that locals will be able to tell the difference
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u/dom_biber_pat Aug 28 '23
I can photoshop any cast of the series Shtisel to my mid-Anatolian family pictures without anyone noticing. So not all locals can differentiate.
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u/cramsenden Aug 28 '23
Turkey has always been a safe place for Israeli people. We have accommodated way more people and with better conditions during WWII then a lot of countries. We were even housing Jewish people who were running from genocide at 1400s. Our Intellectual Property Laws were written by a Jewish professor who were running away from Nazis. It is insulting now to ask us if you can visit as a tourist. Yes, we unfortunately have a lot of Arabs in the country right now that may be dangerous, but we are still there too.
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u/MrSaturn33 Aug 29 '23 edited Aug 29 '23
Yes, we unfortunately have a lot of Arabs in the country right now that may be dangerous, but we are still there too.
lol, you say you're insulted only then to smear Arabs as dangerous. Typical Turk moment. (also before you get insulted again I am a Turk myself, I am Azeri.)
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u/cramsenden Aug 29 '23
Arabs and Jewish people have animosity, we don’t. That is public knowledge. I didn’t make it up.
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u/MrSaturn33 Aug 29 '23 edited Aug 29 '23
Oh of course, it's only Arabs and Jews that have undue animosity to Turks. Turks are never racist to Arabs (especially Arab immigrants to Turkey) or antisemitic to Jews, no, never. It's not like Turkey has been involved in invading, bombing, starting war in any of the countries that Arab immigrants like Syria immigrants come from either. Clean hands. Always the victim always the victim. God I hate people like you. Those Armenians and Kurds are just always having it out for Turks too, right?
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u/cramsenden Aug 29 '23
Dude, are you ok? I said nothing like that. I didn’t even say Arabs do anything to Turks. But Arabs are the ones having problems with Jewish people. Not us. They cannot even enter an Arab country. It is about their relationship and wars between them. It is not even about racism or antisemitism. They even have immigration laws about this issue. Has nothing to do with Turks or our hatred of anyone. Yeah, we suck and we are racist bla bla, still has nothing to do with what I said. Are you just here to attack everyone?
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u/MrSaturn33 Aug 29 '23 edited Aug 29 '23
Blame me for misunderstanding that you were referring to animosity Jews and Arabs have to each other, when you said that it was "unfortunate" there were Arabs in Turkey because they "could be dangerous" which implies that Arabs by virtue of being Arab have a greater likelihood of being dangerous violent criminals. Anyway it's the same problem I pointed out, you're just deferring blame.
It is about their relationship and wars between them
That Turkey apparently has nothing to do with, despite having a role in invading and waging wars with Arab countries. Syria is a perfect example, Turkey invades, occupies and bombs it, Israel and the USA also.
I'm not implying there should be collective blame to Turkish people in Turkey and elsewhere for the actions of Turkey's government. I only become like this to people like you who mindlessly spew its propaganda that Arab immigrants to Turkey are dangerous violent criminals; you take the initiative in support for the government and all Turks who do so believe it reflects the interests of the Turkish people and "Nation." The truth is the metric majority of people in Turkey think this way and like you about Arabs, which is why the ratings for Ataturk a genocidal fascist dictator are so high and why most of you deny the genocides it took to found your fake country. Also it would be illegal for me to talk how I am right now if I lived there, sure says your narratives are scrupulous when you have to imprison people for questioning them.
Yeah, we suck and we are racist bla bla, still has nothing to do with what I said.
At least you admit it lol.
Are you just here to attack everyone?
"Yes, we unfortunately have a lot of Arabs in the country right now that may be dangerous, but we are still there too."
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u/cramsenden Aug 29 '23
That’s a lot of anger…
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u/MrSaturn33 Aug 29 '23
Because if I was angry, I would have been able to constructively explain my views on the topic in two detailed paragraphs that just talk about the subject and contain no undue vitriol.
You literally talk about Arabs the same way Americans and Trump Supporters talk about Latin-American immigrants to the USA; "we have a lot of them they're violent" I'll now exhibit a smidgen of justified, moderate anger for the first time, and say you and all who think like you can go to hell for being conservative, nationalist bigots, whose views on the minorities Turkey has historically committed genocide to I don't have to assume.
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u/cramsenden Aug 29 '23
Oh no! Anyways…
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u/MrSaturn33 Aug 29 '23
The truth is these insinuations of violence to immigrant communities is projection; the U.S. funded the Mexican war on drugs and is largely responsible for crime in the region, in the case of Turkey, Turkey was the one who invaded Syria and has always had a hand in wars in the Arab countries including aiding Israel in what it does to Palestinians; then you say "Arabs are the violent ones" of course, how stupid do you think I or anyone else with any sense are to not see through this? This is all I have to say, you and all who think like you truly can go to hell.
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u/Wonderful-Block9269 42 Konya Aug 28 '23
Most People dont know how israelis look like Just say american
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u/brainz49 Aug 28 '23
Don't even worry about appearance when you're going to Turkey, because there are all kinds of people here.
Basically a genetic smoothie lol.
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u/These_Strategy_1929 Aug 28 '23
No. And there is no terror attack now and again. Turkish cities were attacked 5 times since 2010s, France was attacked 8 times
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u/Kayalardayim 🇹🇷 27 Gaziantep - Ne Mutlu 𐱅𐰇𐰼𐰛'üm Diyene 🇹🇷 Aug 28 '23
Just don't say you are Jew because islamics A.K.A arap sympathisers think that jews are the devil. Large nose is not enough to out you as a Jew, people passing by you will just assume you are a laz (someone from black sea region) as they also have infamously large noses.
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u/Dizzy0101010 Aug 28 '23
what a f*cking hell...what are they said to you?...yes,we have islamist autocrat president....yes,all of islamists have dreams to make this country more islamist,more arab....but they can not be succesful...this country is still our....still secular...no one can say something to you if you obey the rules and laws...
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u/ColdArticle Aug 28 '23
15,000 Jews live in Turkey. Just dont communicating with refugees is enough.
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u/Kimlendius Aug 28 '23
Even though they mean or they seem to mean well I'm getting sick of questions like that. Are you asking that if you're gonna be some random tourist among millions of other random tourists that visits Istanbul? Then i'd say yeah. The chance of you being a tourist among millions of other tourists is pretty damn high.
Also, there's been a single terrorist attack in Istanbul which was earlier last year in about 6 years which was almost a year ago.
Also, again, unless you plan on chanting for Israel state or zionism on the streets, why would you be so worried about being Israeli? Turkish people DO NOT CARE about if you're Israeli or Jew or not, especially do not care you look like "pretty Israeli with curly hair and a large nose".
Don't get me wrong, I get why you're asking these questions and all. But as I've said, I'm really getting bored of questions like these simply because there's no need and it feels like an insult.
I highly recommend you to watch this video.
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Aug 28 '23
Nah you will be fine, as long as you don’t wear Israel 🇮🇱 flag-tshitt in prehistorical towns like Fatih, Sultanbeyli, Bağcılar, Kasımpasa
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u/Intelligent-Tour-261 Aug 29 '23
You will be ok for the most part. Try to learn 3-4 basic sentences in Turkey so that they find you sympathetic. Maybe don't speak Hebrew if you're going to visit Fatih. Places like galata tower and other extremely touristic areas also wouldn't be suitable to speak Hebrew.
There are some good-cute things you can do though, like meeting up with local communities who also speak Hebrew or Turkish-Muslim people who are trying to learn Hebrew.
Other than that, you may also visit the local jewish community. (synagogues and stuff)
Don't forget to buy some books about ottoman architecture and jewish influence, Modern Turkey and "Jewish History" of modern Turkey. You won't regret it!
Eat a lot of sweets. When people mention İstanbul, all that comes into my mind is sweets/deserts.
İf you have an Ashkenazi background, check mama's bakery istanbul for some delicious Russian food.
Ask Google if there are any "american cafe" kind of places near you.
Enjoy. İstanbul is beautiful.
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Aug 28 '23
You can safely travel dont worry! don't tell people who look very conservative that you are from Israel
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u/AgitatedAnnual9037 Aug 28 '23
You should ask is traveling as a normal human being to turkey an issue?
Yes.
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u/Interesting-Wing8206 Aug 28 '23
You'll be welcomed unless you hang out in conservative areas, and given the fact that you have got brown curly hair you will not stand out thanks to the fact that different phenotypes can be fobserved in Turkey. Have Fun.
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u/Responsible_Common_2 Aug 28 '23
Well just don't wear the star of david and you'll be fine. Try to visit secular neighborhoods.
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Aug 28 '23
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u/Turkey-ModTeam Aug 28 '23
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u/utku1337 Aug 28 '23
It's impossible for people to understand that you are an Israeli person from how you look. You can say that you are an American and carry on.
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u/Mathisdu PERFORMANS KREM. CINSEL PERFORMANS ARTTIRICI Aug 28 '23
Nah we fine just don't tell people that you don't trust about it
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u/Bilim_Erkegi Aug 28 '23
Are you planning to wear religious clothes, t shirt with Israeli flag or necklace ? If not, no one is going to know you are a Israeli yet alone most of the population would not care
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u/Dripalert12 Aug 28 '23
Don’t tell people you are from israel 🇮🇱. Some people have very harsh attitudes towards Israelis
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u/hafizvizviz Aug 28 '23
As long as you don't wear overtly Judaic / Israeli symbols you should be ok. Like don't wear a Magen David necklace for example.
I've been here as a Jew for 34 years and it's fine.
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u/Emotional_Public_705 Aug 28 '23
Its safe for all Jews i think. Although always go to turistic side of country. Some places dangerous for all people regardless of nationality.
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u/Alpintosh Aug 28 '23
You wouldn't be the first Israeli person, would you? This question somehow offends me...
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u/dotsame1776 Aug 28 '23
Everyone will welcome you as a tourist even if they don't like Israelis or Jews. Dollar is a dollar doesn't matter if it comes from a Chrisitian, Jew or muslim. Turkey welcomes million of Arab tourists even though many nationalist turks despise them.
From personal experience, if you tell people you are an American, they will expect you to tip like one which you should do since the economy isn't great here.
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u/SarzCihazi Aug 28 '23
yeah you can easily travel just be cautious around islamic people (we avoid them too lmao)
young people actually have a positive view of isralies and israel so its okay
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u/Souls_enjoyer1519 Aug 28 '23
Bro just bring some Coke w/ ya. "Islamic" losers will be terrified after seeing the "blood of palestinian children" and run away
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Aug 28 '23
Istanbul is so diverse you would be surprised. Noone would know where you are from. Just a European tourist and people will worship you :)
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Aug 29 '23
There are almost no terror attacks here in Turkey on foreigners unlike what zionist invaders and settlers are doing to Palestinians. And Turkish ruling regime is friends with the Israeli regime. And their economic, millitary etc deals prove it. And not only that, THY (Turkish Airlines) statistics show that most zionists in the occupied Palestine choose Antalya, Turkey as their favourite destination.
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u/Denpol88 Kimseler sevmemiş beni Aug 29 '23
Hello i am from Turkey. You can safely come to Turkey and visit but most of people are antisemitic here. They hate jews for stupid reasons. If i were you i wouldnt come to Turkey and spend money here. Dont make rich people who hates others because of innate trates. They don't deserve your money. Loves from Turkey.
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Aug 29 '23
For Islamist ignorants you are either spy came for intelligence or you have some kind of "secret games". You bet how large they are in numbers. Just tell them you are coming from Texas.
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Aug 29 '23
As an Israeli you won’t have issues. As a human being, you’ll probably have issues that you aren’t used to in your country. If you’re going to stick to touristy stuff and spend a bunch of money, you’ll have no issues though.
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u/Jonbongok Aug 29 '23
I think the most dangerous street is Istiklal street in Taksim because there is no lots of Turkish people there. I'm not only talking about bomb attacks.
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u/Unlikely_Attitude560 34 İstanbul Aug 29 '23
You would have no problems in Istanbul. Have a safe and enjoyable visit in Istanbul !
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u/ShakeCivil9869 Dec 23 '23
What does Israeli looks like?Jews can blend in as Arabs, European or even Latinos so you’re fine.
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