Erdogan Congratulates Chief Rabbi Haleva

ANKARA - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated the third Chief Rabbi Ishak Haleva of Turkey on Thursday.
Releasing a message to congratulate Haleva who has started his term in office as the third chief rabbi of Turkey, Erdogan said that he could not attend the ceremony in Istanbul held for Haleva due to his intense programme.
''Our Jewish citizens have always made valuable contributions to development of our country and our culture. Sultan Bayezid I of the Ottoman Empire granted Jewish people fleeing from atrocity of the Inquisition of Spain in 1492 right of asylum. During the World War II, Turkish people tried to do their utmost to help Jewish people fleeing from Europe,'' he said.
''We will always commemorate the second Chief Rabbi David Asseo who had supported interreligious dialogue, with respect. I believe that new Chief Rabbi Haleva will achieve success in his duty,'' he added.