Turkish Asylum Seeker in Israel Dreams of Lighting Independence Day Torch
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Turko Avci, a Turkish national who supported Israel online, has received political asylum in Israel after facing an arrest warrant in Turkey. She came to Israel five years ago to study and became an advocate for Israel after the October 7th attacks. Avci is estranged from her family in Turkey due to fears for their safety and has no regrets about her activism, aspiring to do more and even light an Independence Day torch.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Turko Avci, a Turkish national, has been granted political asylum in Israel.
- Avci faced an arrest warrant in Turkey for supporting Israel and criticizing President Erdoğan.
- She fears for her family's safety in Turkey due to online threats.
- Avci came to Israel five years ago to study and became an online advocate for Israel.
- She dreams of lighting a torch on Israel's Independence Day.
Turko Avci, a Turkish national who has advocated for Israel online, has been granted political asylum in Israel. She described the difficult and lengthy process of obtaining asylum, which she applied for months ago, and expressed relief, stating it felt like a new life. Avci came to Israel five years ago to study political science and communications at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Following the October 7th Hamas attack, she began speaking out in support of Israel in Turkish and English.
Avci revealed that she is estranged from her family in Turkey due to fears for their safety. She stated that an arrest warrant was issued against her in Turkey because of her support for Israel and criticism of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, making it impossible for her to return home. She also shared her ongoing fear for her parents' well-being, as Islamist groups in Turkey have published her and her family's photos and addresses online. Avci expressed concern that even contact with her family could endanger them.
Her parents, who are active in the Turkish opposition, are not interested in joining her in Israel, as her father, 73, does not speak Hebrew or English and their lives are rooted in Turkey. Avci emphasized that her support for Israel and opposition to Hamas stem from a concern for Turkey and her family, not just for Israel. Despite the personal cost, she has no regrets about her activism and aspires to do more, even dreaming of lighting a torch on Israel's Independence Day.