"What binds Ankara and Jerusalem
by Soner Cagaptay and Asaf Romirowsky
Jerusalem Post
May 1, 2005
At first glance, Turkey and Israel could not be more different. Israel is small, predominantly Jewish and post-industrial; Turkey is large, predominantly Muslim and industrial. But from the perspective of recent history the two nations have much in common.
Israel is a country of Jews expelled from eastern and central Europe, Russia and countries in the Middle East. The Turks are descended from Ottoman Muslims expelled from southeastern Europe and Russia as well as native Anatolians. In both nations, religion � though not necessarily its practice � is central to national identity. Moreover, religion plays an important role in party politics in both countries. "
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