Hanukkah Festival

Below is H.E. President Abdullah Gül’s message on the occasion of our Jewish citizens’ Hanukkah Festival:

“I wholeheartedly celebrate the Hanukkah Festival of our Jewish citizens with whom we have been living on the same soil for centuries on the basis of tribute and tolerance and in fraternity and solidarity and with whom we have shared the same sorrow and hope.

Every single citizen of ours is an integrated part of our nation and the owner of our Republic regardless of their ethnicities and beliefs.

Our differences, which we will not allow to be motives for animosity in the future as we did not in the past either, are our most treasured bounty which strengthens the unity and solidarity and amity among us.

This bounty rising upon the basis of mutual respect and affection is also one of the very assurances for the bright future of our country. I am very pleased that my recent visit to the Synagogue of Hatay has reiterated this very fact.

In this vein, I once again celebrate our Jewish citizens’ Hanukkah Festival and send them my heartfelt goodwill.”