Turkish-American community reacts to Netflix's 'Famagusta'

Following the announcement that "Famagusta," which is set in the city of Famagusta in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, will be "released on Netflix on September 20," several organizations and civil activists within the Turkish-American community have voiced their objections to the platform's executives, stating that the series "does not align with historical facts."

Fatih Özonur, President of the Turkish American Security Foundation (TASFO), stated in a social media post: "We condemn Netflix's decision to air the series 'Famagusta,' which ignores the Turks massacred by the terrorist organization EOKA on the island of Cyprus and portrays the Turkish army as an occupier."

Reminding that Netflix had previously targeted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Özonur stated that the digital platform maintains an "anti-Turkish, racist stance that supports the Greek and Armenian diasporas."

TASFO President Özonur called on members of the Turkish-American community to protest this stance by Netflix, stating, "Remember, those who do not react immediately to the insolent will eventually face tyrants."

Özonur also referenced historical facts by sharing an excerpt from the February 17, 1964, edition of The Washington Post, which reported that "Greek Cypriot fanatics were turning to a policy of genocide."

NETFLIX REMINDED OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES

Activist İbrahim Kurtuluş, a prominent figure in the Turkish-American community, wrote a letter to the digital platform's headquarters in California expressing his "deep concerns" following reports that the series "Famagusta" would be shown on Netflix.

In his letter, Kurtuluş stated, "As a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange, Netflix has a responsibility to ensure that the content it shares is accurate and balanced, especially on sensitive and historical topics that can influence public perception and international relations."

Reminding that the Cyprus Peace Operation was a legal intervention conducted to prevent the annexation of Cyprus to Greece following a coup organized by the Greek junta on the island, Kurtuluş emphasized that Turkey gained this right as a result of the treaty it signed with the United Kingdom and Greece in 1960.

The Turkish activist said, "This intervention was not an occupation as the film implies, but a necessary and legal response to the imminent threat faced by the Turkish Cypriot people."

Kurtuluş noted the following in his letter:

"Furthermore, the series 'Famagusta' completely ignores the suffering experienced by Turkish Cypriots during this period. The pain and loss experienced by many families whose loved ones were killed and buried in mass graves during the conflict is a tragic reality that must be acknowledged. The United Nations has made efforts to identify those who lost their lives and rebury them properly in the hope of promoting healing and understanding between the two sides."

ANNOUNCEMENT MADE ON AUGUST 26

The fact that "Famagusta" director Andreas Georgiou announced on August 26 that the series would be released on Netflix on September 20 also drew further reaction.

Social media users commented that Georgiou chose this date because it coincides with the day the Battle of Manzikert, which opened the gates of Anatolia to the Turks, began, as well as the start of the Great Offensive, which ended with the Greek army fleeing to the Aegean Sea.

Produced to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation and having aired 16 episodes on a television channel in Greece so far, "Famagusta" addresses the events that took place in the city of Famagusta during the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation—conducted by Turkey to assist the Turks on the island—through a narrative constructed on the Greek side's claims that do not align with the facts of history.

News Source: AA