Israeli-Turkish Woman Attacked in Istanbul Mall Amidst Online Smear Campaign
Translated & summarized from Hamal by baba
An Israeli-Turkish woman, Claudia Medina, who promotes tourism, was attacked and harassed by a mob in an Istanbul shopping mall. The attackers called her a "terrorist" and accused her children of serving in the IDF, part of an online smear campaign. Medina, who was born and raised in Istanbul, stated she has experienced antisemitism and discrimination in Turkey.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Claudia Medina, an Israeli-Turkish tourism promoter, was attacked by a mob in an Istanbul mall.
- The attackers accused Medina of being a "terrorist" because her children serve in the IDF.
- The incident followed an online smear campaign by extremist Islamist groups.
- Medina stated she has experienced antisemitism and discrimination in Turkey.
- Security and police intervened to disperse the crowd during the attack.
A video circulating on social media shows a large group of people chasing Claudia Medina, an Israeli-Turkish woman who promotes tourism between Israel and Turkey, in an Istanbul shopping mall. During the incident, she was called a "terrorist" because her children serve in the IDF. This attack is the culmination of a months-long online smear campaign against her by extremist Islamist groups, who publicized her name, Turkish citizenship, and Israeli passport.
The video depicts Medina attempting to escape her pursuers but being cornered and harassed. Shouts of "child murderers," "we don't want Zionists in our country," and "Israel murders" were heard. Security personnel and police intervened to restore order. A narrator in the video urged viewers to share the "success" of expelling Medina, whose name was explicitly mentioned, via social media.
Despite the incident, Medina has not been deterred. In a video she posted, she addressed the public, emphasizing her local identity in Istanbul, where she was born and raised and where her family and a large Jewish community reside. She stated that while she speaks Turkish and Hebrew and uses Hebrew in public, caution is necessary.
Medina also recounted personal experiences with antisemitism and discrimination due to her Israeli identity, citing instances where she and others were denied service. "I have encountered antisemitism. There were places where they told us: 'You are Israelis, so we won't serve you.' I have encountered that, let them not tell stories," she said.
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