ISTANBUL - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday visited Chief Rabbi Ishak Haleva in Turkey after the bomb attacks on two synagogues in Sisli and Beyoglu on Saturday.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul also arrived at Chief Rabbi's Office in Turkey.
ERDOGAN: WE WILL OVERCOME TERRORISM ALTOGETHER AND RESTORE TRANQUILITY
Sources said that Erdogan offered his condolences to Haleva and other members of the Jewish community and expressed sorrow over the attacks.
Stressing that ''the attacks showed ugly face of terrorism,'' Erdogan said, ''we will overcome terrorism altogether and restore tranquility. The attacks aimed at tranquility.''
Erdogan noted that the security officials were exerting utmost efforts regarding the attacks and they were ready to extend every support to Jewish community.
Haleva said that it was the first time that a prime minister paid a visit to the office and expressed pleasure with Erdogan's visit and close interest in them.
Noting that security forces had protected them in an extraordinary way so far, Haleva said, ''if measures had not been taken before, death toll could have climbed to 700-800.''
Haleva stated that the attack did not have any explanation and there were circles who were uneasy about stable development of Turkey.
''Mostly Muslims died in the attacks. People who protected us and our neighbors died,'' Haleva said.
Haleva noted, ''terrorism doesn't have religion and nationality. Europe is not aware of this. They scream when it happens to them but we are experiencing it here.''
Erdogan told reporters following the meeting that members of the community did not have any demands but expressed appreciation of performance of security forces and warm interest of people.
Prime Minister Erdogan and ministers later went to Neve Shalom Synagogue.
(BRC-AY) 16.11.2003