ISTANBUL, Turkey โ Jewish community members in Istanbul were assaulted and harassed on Sunday evening while heading to a Hanukkah candle lighting near the Neve Shalom Synagogue, according to reports and video circulated on social media and cited by Israeli and Jewish news outlets.
Ynet reported that pro-Palestinian protesters confronted Jews traveling to the synagogue for the eighth night of Hanukkah, shouting antizionist slurs and attempting to close the distance with the group before police moved in to disperse the demonstrators.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Jews were attacked while en route to the candle lighting amid protests and anti-Israel slogans. The Times of Israel also reported that a group of Jews was attacked on the way to a Hanukkah candle lighting in Istanbul.
Videos referenced by the outlets show a tense scene in the Beyoฤlu area, where Neve Shalom is located, with shouting and pushing as police and security personnel attempt to separate the groups. Ynet reported that some demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and that police dispersed the crowd as it attempted to approach the Jewish group.
As of the time of publication, there was no publicly available official police statement confirming the number of victims, the extent of injuries, or whether arrests were made in connection with the incident. The reporting to date has relied largely on video from the scene and accounts published by the outlets covering the event.
The alleged assault comes during a period of heightened security concern for Jewish communities worldwide, particularly during high-visibility public holiday events. Reuters reported earlier this month that security measures were being increased around Hanukkah gatherings in multiple cities following the deadly attack at a Jewish holiday celebration in Sydney.
Neve Shalom is among Turkeyโs most prominent synagogues and has been targeted in past terrorist attacks, including the 2003 Istanbul synagogue bombings that struck Neve Shalom and another synagogue, and earlier lethal violence in the 1980s. Those attacks remain central to the Turkish Jewish communityโs security posture, and Jewish institutions in Turkey have long operated with significant protective measures.
For a pro-Israel and Jewish readership, the reported incident in Istanbul is likely to intensify concern that antisemitism is increasingly manifesting around Jewish religious observance, even in settings that are not political in nature. Jewish advocacy organizations have repeatedly warned that conflating local Jewish communities with Israeli state policy can fuel intimidation, harassment, and violence against Jews in diaspora communities.
The incident also raises questions about the capacity and willingness of local authorities to prevent harassment of minority religious communities during public gatherings. Turkeyโs government has, at times, condemned antisemitic incidents and pledged protection for minorities. However, verification of any official response to this specific episode will depend on police or government statements and subsequent judicial proceedings.
Community security experts frequently advise that Jewish events maintain layered protection, including coordination with local police, controlled entry, and trained volunteer security, particularly during periods of elevated threat. The Istanbul reports underscore why those measures have become standard practice in many Jewish communities, even for religious celebrations such as Hanukkah.
Further details are expected as Turkish authorities and local community representatives provide additional information about the incident, including whether injuries were sustained and whether suspects were identified.
Jewish citizens in Turkey were assaulted earlier today in Istanbul while heading to Synagogue for a Hanukkah celebration. pic.twitter.com/L2dYDcpCb4
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) December 21, 2025
