On February 6, 2023, southern Turkey experienced two major earthquakes. These disasters trapped thousands of people under rubble, leading to significant loss of life. In response, numerous international rescue teams arrived to assist with search and rescue efforts.
Controversial Actions of the Israeli Rescue Team
Among the teams was an Israeli rescue group that made headlines for a controversial action in Hatay province. Reports indicated that their primary goal was to smuggle a historic Torah scroll, part of the ancient Book of Esther, back to Israel.
The Encounter with the Elderly Jewish Man
An elderly Jewish man approached the Israeli team and entrusted them with a valuable manuscript. He claimed it was a significant portion of the Book of Esther. The man expressed concern that the scroll could fall into the wrong hands due to the region’s proximity to Syria.
The Decision to Take the Manuscript
The Israeli team decided to take the manuscript to Israel, citing the risk of misuse after the disaster. In response, the Turkish Jewish community issued a statement to clarify the manuscript’s status.
Safe Return of the Scroll
Rabbi Mendy Chitrik supervised the preservation of the scroll, which returned safely from Israel to the Turkish Jewish community in Istanbul. Rabbi Chitrik shared the news on social media: “The ancient scroll of the Book of Esther, known as the Antakya Megila, survived the earthquake and returned this morning to @tyahuditoplumu in Istanbul.”
Community Involvement
On February 16, 2023, Ynet News reported that a member of the Antakya Jewish community handed a copy of the Megilat Esther to ZAKA, an Israeli search and rescue team. This community member worried about the potential misuse of the scroll and requested volunteers to protect it.
Controversy and Accusations
The actions of the Israeli rescue team sparked controversy, leading to accusations of looting and antiquities smuggling. Critics on social media claimed that the team came to Turkey not to save lives but to plunder valuable items.
Return of the Torah Scrolls
Initially taken from the Antakya Synagogue, the scrolls that the team smuggled to Israel eventually returned to Turkey. The Turkish Jewish community announced that the sacred Torah scrolls had safely returned to the Jewish religious authorities in Istanbul.
In a statement, the Turkish Jewish community confirmed the return of the ancient Esther scrolls: “The relevant Esther scroll has returned from Israel and is preserved by our religious leadership. After the restoration of the Antakya Synagogue, it will return home.”
