RADIKAL, KEHABER (Turkey), FINANCIAL TIMES (UK)
ISTANBUL - A Turkish education union has pressed charges over the distribution of anti-Semitic books to schools in Istanbul’s Maltepe district, the daily Radikal reported.
“The books include phrases that are unscientific, anti-Semitic, anti-Armenian and humiliate Christians, non-religious people and people with a left-wing philosophy," read a statement issued by the Egitim-Sen union. The organization has accused the editor of carrying out a “ Hate Crime,” Kehaber reports.
The book in question depict Charles Darwin as a Jewish man with a big nose, who keeps company with monkeys, according to the Financial Times. Over 1,000 copies of the book were handed out to primary school children for free.
Ahmet Sirri Arvas, the editor of the books, spoke to Radikal about the incident, saying that a few friends put the content together, which is what lead to such terms being used. “The books were only handed out to 1000 children and will be amended to meet professional standards as soon as possible,” he said.
The Egitim Sen Union has taken legal action again Arvas. "We want the books impounded, and all those responsible held accountable for their part in their distribution into the hands of 10-year-old children," said Mehmet Aydogan, chief of the union's Istanbul bureau.
Aydogan has criticized the publisher for discrediting artists worldwide and forcing students to think unscientifically.
