Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ISTANBUL1703
2003-11-15 11:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Istanbul
Cable title:  

ISTANBUL SYNAGOGUES BOMBED

Tags:  PTER PREL ASEC TU 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISTANBUL 001703 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2013
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC TU
SUBJECT: ISTANBUL SYNAGOGUES BOMBED

Classified By: Consul General David Arnett for Reasons 1.5 (b & d)


C O N F I D E N T I A L ISTANBUL 001703

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2013
TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC TU
SUBJECT: ISTANBUL SYNAGOGUES BOMBED

Classified By: Consul General David Arnett for Reasons 1.5 (b & d)



1. (u) Bombs detonated simultaneously at two of the major
Jewish synagogues in Istanbul at approximately 9:30 am have
claimed dozens of lives and injured over a hundred people.
Based on observations by the Consul General, RSO, and poloffs
at both sites, it appears that both buildings were targeted
by vehicle bombs. Damage was extensive, cars on the streets
were destroyed, storefronts ruined, and glass windows
shattered blocks away. Consulate employees felt the shock
from one of the explosions at their residence about a
kilometer and a half away. Early reports indicate that at
least 23 people have been killed and over a hundred wounded,
although it is likely that the numbers will continue to rise.



2. (u) One of the sites was the Sisli Beth Israel synagogue,
one of the community's most active. The Chief Rabbi, the
President of the Jewish Community, and 60 other dignitaries
were at the site when the explosion occurred for a ceremony
to commemorate the completion of a restoration project.
Members of the Jewish Community Board who were also at the
site reported to us that the Chief Rabbi and the President of
the Community escaped unharmed, but at least a dozen people
were killed, including by-standers and security personnel.



3. (u) The other site was Neve Shalom synagogue, another of
the community's main synagogues and the site of a 1986
machine-gun and grenade attack by Abu Nidal that claimed 20
lives. Although not heavily-used for normal Sabbath
services, it is the primary site for special occasions, and
today's explosion took place during a bar mitzvah ceremony
attended by 400 people. Police on the scene told the CG that
the bomb was carried by a small truck and that at least 10
people were killed. CG observed a large crater in front of
the main entrance. Fortunately, extensive security measures
at the site appear to have limited the damage to the front
section of the building, away from the main hall. People
attending the religious services were able to exit the
building through a rear entrance.



4. (c) It is too soon to say who might have conducted the
attacks. We have heard one report that IBDA-C (Islamic Great
Eastern Raiders),a small and relatively inactive terrorist
group, phoned the Anatolian news agency to claim
responsibity. Our assessment of this group's capabilities,
however, suggests that they would be unable to conduct such
an attack. The Minister of Interior also told the Ambassador
that these attacks do not fit the pattern of the PKK, DHKP-C,
MLKP, or any of the local groups whose activities they track
closely.



5. (u) We have no reports so far that any American citizens
were killed or injured at either site. We are in touch with
local hospitals to ensure that we are notified promptly if
any Americans are brought in. We did speak with one
uninjured Amcit, Rabbi Mendy Chitrik, who was at the
Ashkenzai synagogue, not far from Neve Shalom, at the time of
the explosion.



5. (c) Action Request: The Ambassador has expressed the
condolences of the USG and offers of assistance to the
Minister of Interior, the Foreign Ministry, and the Israeli
Embassy; the CG has conveyed them to the Israeli CG and
leadership of the Jewish community. Because there are
indications that this might be the work of international
terrorist groups, post requests that we be authorized to
offer FBI assistance to the Turkish authorities to assist
them in their investigations.
ARNETT