The Istanbul Pogrom: The Persecution of Greeks in 1955

On September 6-7, 1955, Istanbul experienced a pogrom against its ethnic and religious minorities, known as the "September Events." The attack, orchestrated by Turkish officials, targeted the Greek community and was linked to the escalation of the Cyprus issue.

The Menderes government exploited the Cyprus issue to divert attention from the internal economic crisis, fueling nationalist sentiments. The pretext for the pogrom was a bomb explosion at the Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki, which the Turkish press attributed to Greeks.

During the night, crowds attacked Greek properties, churches, schools, and cemeteries. According to Turkish sources, 73 churches were burned, and private property was destroyed. Human losses included murders, injuries, and rapes. Eyewitnesses reported that the police either remained idle or actively participated in the violence.

The pogrom triggered a wave of emigration from Istanbul, with the Greek-speaking population declining dramatically. In modern Turkey, the incident is often attributed to foreign provocation. The pogrom remains a painful chapter in Greek-Turkish relations.

Source: ΚΥΠΕ