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Moslem Turkey FRIEND OF ISRAEL bv DAVID HOROWITZ A WUP Special Feature With the constant UAR threat against Israel, with the bitter ani mosity which the other neighbor ing Arab countries are displaying day in and day out, it is hearten ing. to know that the ever-pro gressing little Jewish State can count on at least one loyal friend not so far away to the north—- Turkey. The importance of this friend ship lies in the significant fact that this friend, bordering Syria and Iraq—the two rather unstable states in the Nasser union—is a Moslem country. This, apparently, was one of the main reasons that had prompted an enraged Nasser to break off relations with An kara. Many people who have never visited Turkey seem to think that because the people in the nation are predominantly Moslem they are like any other people in the Arab world—fanatical, hot-head ed, backward and feudal. Nothing of the sort. The Turkish people, in spirit, in outlook and in every other way are totally different from the Arab Moslems. Credit for this enlightening state must go to the founder of modern Turkey — the renowned Kemal Ataturk who is looked upon and venerated by the Turks as the George Washington of the nation. Following a three-week visit to Israel recently, the writer spent a most happy and instructive week in Turkey. What he dis covered there was a revelation. The people especially impressed him. They are very much like the Israelis: friendly, progressive, industrious, lovers of music, art, culture and, above all, very in genious about their educational system. Like the Israelis, the Turks, happy-go-lucky in outlook, bear no traits of arrogance which mark so many other people on the world scene. Plain folk, they are down to earth, highly sensitive and intelligent, but as hospitable a people as this writer has found anywhere in his travels. Many people speak of Israel as the miracle of the 20th century— and they are not wrong. Reborn Israel is a miracle. But so also the new Turkey. Kemal Ataturk and his faithful handful of fol lowers, recognizing the ills of the old Ottoman Empire as it lay prostrate and defeated and cut up at the close of World War I, brought about a revolution that completely transformed the na tion. It was an act of great hero ism and sacrifice on their part. For they had to battle internal as well as external enemies. This correspondent was privi leged to see the result of Ata- turks heroism and that of his followers and he must say that it is not much unlike the heroism displayed by the founders of modern Israel in their struggle for independence. Here, then Turkey and Israel have a basic thing in common. Like Israel, Turkey is busily occupied with the building of new homes, hotels and industrious cen ters in all its leading cities. All around Istanbul, like around Tel Aviv, new suburbs like the “Le vant” and the “Atakoy” districts, are rising. The apartment build ings greatly resemble those seen in Israel. Indeed, the Israeli in fluence is definitely there, and no wonder: Israel’s construction firm of Solel Boneh has function ed in Turkey for several years. It was this new Turkey that captivated the writer who, in the course of .the week’s visit, suc ceeded in meeting not only vari ous government officials, such as the Governor and the Mayor of Istanbul, Niyazi Aki and Neodet Ugur, respectively — two typical disciples of Ataturk who symbol ize the new Turkey—but also in mingling with the people in every strata of life and visiting institu tions of learning, art, culture, and touring industrious firms, movie studios, entertainment and resort areas of which Turkey is noted. The jewel city of Istanbul — built on seven hills and embrac ing the lovely Bosphorus, which gleams like a beautiful silver ribbon between Lake Marmara and the Black Sea—is as fascinat ing and bewitching as that other jewel by the Carmel mount in Israel—Haifa. Istanbul is famous for boating and fishing and its unique fishermen’s wharf restau rants. As for food—it is just fabulous. Again like in Israel, the pig is taboo. The Turks loathe pork or any other product related to the swine. On the other hand, Lamb, cooked and grilled in 3 score of different delicious ways, is the favorite dish of the land. In a tour of several Bohemiam- type restaurants and night clubs, this writer experienced a most pleasant surprise. The floor-show singers and musicians sang and played several of the modern Is raeli popular songs. One was Hava Neranenu. The singing was in perfect Hebrew. Possessing so many similarities --even in the Biblical sense, since Turkey is part and parcel of the ancient Bible belt—it is no won der that the Turkish people have become such great friends with the Israelis in recent time. The bond is both economic and politi cal, technical and cultural. As we stated previously, it was as a result of this closely-knit friendship that Gamal Abdel Nas ser broke off relations with An kara. But the Turkish people— who more than any other nation, perhaps, know fully well the nature and true psychology of the Arabs with whom they had so many dealings for generations— are not the kind to be intimi dated by anyone. They know that Nasserism and his type of pseudo socialism are but passing phases in Mideast history and that the Arab peoples — sooner or later OUR MOST POPULAR SPORTSHIRT WASH & WEAR Ivy League Poncho" by // All the smart details of custom tailoring—button front and back collar, single eedle cuffed sleeves, crafted placket front... blended with most wanted easy-livin' features of finest Ivy League sports wear make a pleasing pull over to match your most relaxed moments. Wear the shirt tails in or out... it's up to youl Fall tones and combinations on 100% fine combed cotton, just yout size. Also available in coat styles. S.M.L. Block Southland Sportswear Wilmington, North Carolina The Southern Israelite 13