Synagogue in Izmir, Turkey, Targeted by Firebomb

Amid the persecution Jews face in Turkey, a synagogue in the city of Izmir on the Aegean coast was firebombed.

A man threw a Molotov cocktail last week onto the sidewalk outside of Beth Israel Synagogue, which ended up not being damaged.

The incident was first reported on Tuesday by the Turkish-language Salom Jewish news site.

“There is no difference between attacks targeting synagogues, churches and mosques; they all target social peace with their hate,” said Mustafa Yeneroğlu, the Istanbul lawmaker for the ruling Justice and Development Party.

The Turkish-Jewish community, in a statement, lauded the Izmir Security Directorate for responding decisively in apprehending the suspect and denounced “this heinous attack threatening our lives, peace and unity.”