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March 19, 2005
Hitler's writing popular in Turkey, blamed for Anti-Americanism
Are the books people read indicative of the country's ideological and political persuasions? The Associated Press speculates whether the growing sales of Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" is correlated to alleged anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism in Turkey.
In the Jerusalem Post, ('Mein Kampf' interest blamed on xenophobia, media), the AP reports
New paperback versions of "Mein Kampf" have suddenly become top sellers in Turkey, raising questions about whether the sales reflect growing anti-Semitism and anti-American sentiment in this Muslim country, or if it's just curiosity and a cheap read.
Specifically, the attempt to draw a cause-and-effect relationship comes from Lina Filiba, executive vice president of Turkey's Jewish Community. He called the newfound popularity of Hitler's book "disturbing," but admitted to the fact that the book is also getting media attention and is low-priced to the curious masses.
He also linked the anti-semetic, anti-foreigner, and anti-American feelings to the December 17th decision by the European Union to open membership talks with Turkey.
In the Turkish online Zaman Times, however, the author points to the ambivalence of Turkish-American relations and sentiment within Turkey and its officials.
Lina Filiba, executive vice president of Turkey's Jewish Community, said on Friday that the new popularity of Adolf Hitler's book "Mein Kampf" in Turkey is "disturbing," but added that price and curiosity due to prominent media attention were major factors.
New paperback versions of "Mein Kampf" have suddenly become top sellers in Turkey, raising questions about whether the sales reflect growing anti-Semitism and anti-American sentiment in this Muslim country, or if it's just curiosity and a cheap read.
Filiba said the sales were part of a "worrying trend" with anti-Semitic publications - such as the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a 19th-century anti-Semitic tract - on sale even in bustling department stores.
"I think there's an increase in anti-Semitic, anti-American, and anti-foreigner feeling that have paralleled (the) December 17th decision by the European Union to open membership talks with Turkey, Filiba said.
The country's top seller, "Metal Storm," is a novel about a fictional war between Turkey and the United States. Conspiracy theory books are popular sellers and the press is extremely critical of the United States and Israel.
Posted March 19, 2005 07:51 PM
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