Remembering Istanbul: A Synagogue Tragedy

Location: Neve Shalom Synagogue, Istanbul. Date: Shabbat, 2nd of Elul, 5746. About thirty worshippers were in the midst of the Torah reading when two individuals, appearing as tourists or journalists, entered the building. It quickly became apparent that their appearance was a disguise. The two terrorists who managed to enter the synagogue locked the doors to prevent escape and started shooting at the worshippers using guns and grenades.

A few congregants managed to escape through a side door, and the women in the women's section also found a way out. Nonetheless, there were significant casualties: 22 worshippers were killed in the incident. The two terrorists were also killed, likely due to a large grenade explosion.

After the massacre, the event was attributed to Abu Nidal's terror organization, although the group never claimed responsibility. The two attackers were never identified.