Remembering the Istanbul Pogrom of 1955: A Call for Accountability and Reconciliation

On September 6, 1955, a horrifying chapter unfolded in the history of Istanbul, one that still casts a long shadow over the city and its diverse communities. The Istanbul Pogrom, targeting Greeks, Armenians, and Jews, was a violent eruption of hatred, fueled by ethnic and religious tensions. Today, we look back at this dark episode not to reopen old wounds but to advocate for acknowledgment, accountability, and reconciliation.

The day began like any other for the Greeks, Armenians, and Jews of Constantinople. Little did they know that their lives would soon be irrevocably changed. Mobs descended upon their neighborhoods, driven by a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Homes, businesses, and places of worship were destroyed, and the violence extended to rape, forced circumcision, and even the exhumation of the dead.

The Istanbul Pogrom lasted for two days, and its brutality knew no bounds. Witnesses reported that attackers had lists of addresses, and even Turkish shop owners were ordered to display Turkish flags to avoid destruction. It was a systematic and organized assault on the non-Muslim communities.

The pogrom was not a spontaneous outburst of anger. It was orchestrated, with deep-rooted motivations. The Turkish government used the pretext of tensions in Cyprus to incite violence against its Greek and non-Muslim citizens. The aim was to homogenize the Turkish nation and gain control over the economy by eliminating the influence of these communities.

The Istanbul Pogrom did not occur in isolation; it was a continuation of a long history of discrimination against non-Muslim communities. From forced population exchanges to discriminatory laws and economic hardships, the Turkish government had consistently marginalized its non-Muslim citizens.

The aftermath of the pogrom saw a mass wave of migration as non-Muslim communities fled Istanbul, their ancient homeland. Many Greeks and Jews were forced to leave, and even those who remained faced immense challenges. Their businesses had been transferred to Muslims, and they lived in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.

It is disheartening to note that, to this day, the Turkish government has not officially acknowledged or taken responsibility for the Istanbul Pogrom of 1955. Instead, some of the architects of this violence have been honored. This lack of acknowledgment perpetuates a cycle of injustice and division.

The international community must recognize the double standards at play and advocate for accountability. If Turkey aspires to be a respected member of the global community, it must take the following steps:

• Offer official apologies for the Istanbul Pogrom and other historical atrocities,
• Recognize the right to the truth and prohibit the denial of genocides in its history,
• Express repentance for its crimes and offer reparations to survivors and victims' families,
• Recognize the right of return for those who left their ancient homeland,
• Establish memorial museums to raise awareness and promote reconciliation.

The Istanbul Pogrom of 1955 remains a painful scar in the collective memory of the city's non-Muslim communities. Acknowledgment, accountability, and reconciliation are essential steps toward healing the wounds of the past and building a more inclusive and harmonious future. It is not too late for Turkey to confront its history honestly and take meaningful action to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.