Ülkümen Selahattin

Ulkumen, Selahattin In 1944, Selahattin Ulkumen, the Turkish consul general on the island of Rhodes, saved 42 Jews from deportation to Auschwitz. On July 19, 1944, all Jewish males over the age of 16 were ordered to report immediately to German headquarters with their identity cards and work permits. The Turkish consul knew the meaning of "temporary resettlement on a neighboring island.” He visited the German commander General von Kleeman, gambling that he could at least claim jurisdiction over the Turkish Jews. His reason: “The Turkish Republic is a neutral country and not involved in the war by any means.” Ulkumen’s gamble paid off and 42 Jews, some of whom were of doubtful Turkish nationality, were released and remained under his protection. Among the survivors was Maurice Soriano who survived due to his marriage to a Turkish citizen, Viktoria. Daniel Turiel and his wife Mathilde were also among the lucky ones and they said; “The only reason we were saved was through the relentless efforts of the Turkish Consul and the luck of one spouse in every Jewish family holding a Turkish passport.” Mathilde explained how Ulkumen acted on their behalf: Only about 15 men and women were Turkish, but Mr. Ulkumen included in his list 25 to 30 more people who he knew were no longer Turkish citizens since they had let their citizenship lapse. He also insisted that according to Turkish law, spouses of Turkish citizens were considered to be citizens themselves, and demanded their release. By his pretense that all those he listed were Turkish, he was able to save more people. Among those who were saved were Alberto and Renata Amato and their daughter Lina, who were Italian citizens. The remaining 1,700 Jews of Rhodes were herded into three boats and deported to Auschwitz. On August 2, 1944, Turkey ceased its diplomatic relations with Germany, and Ulkumen returned to Turkey. On December 13, 1989, Yad Vashem recognized Selahattin Ulkumen as Righteous among the Nations.