Rescue of Jews Exiled from Spain by the Ottoman Empire

In 1492, the Alhambra Decree issued in Spain led to the expulsion of Jews from the country, causing one of history’s largest migration waves. During this period, the most significant power that rescued the Jews and opened its doors to them was the Ottoman Empire.

Here are the key points of this rescue operation and the subsequent process:

1. Bayezid II’s Move

The Ottoman Sultan of the era, Bayezid II, issued an official firman inviting the Sephardic Jews (Sephardic means Spain in Hebrew) suffering persecution in Spain to the imperial lands.

Navy Dispatched: The Sultan did not just say “you can come”; he dispatched the Ottoman navy under the command of Kemal Reis to the coasts of Spain, ensuring the safe evacuation of the Jews.
Settlement: The arrivals were settled in the strategic cities of the empire, primarily Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Izmir, and Edirne.

2. Economic and Cultural Impact

The Ottoman Empire’s move was not only humanitarian aid but also a very clever economic move.

Knowledge Migration: Jews arriving from Spain brought with them knowledge of medicine, astronomy, finance, and trade.
Printing Press: The first printing press in Ottoman lands was brought by these immigrants (David and Samuel ibn Nahmias brothers) in 1493 and established in Istanbul.
Gunpowder and Weapon Technology: They also played an important role in transferring new casting and warfare techniques from Europe to the Ottoman army.

3. Bayezid II’s Famous Quote

According to historical sources, Bayezid II used this ironic expression for King Ferdinand of Spain:

“How can you call this king (Ferdinand) wise, who impoverishes his own country and enriches mine?”

4. Other Routes

Not all Jews came to the Ottoman Empire; some went to Portugal (but were expelled from there a few years later), some to North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria), and some later took refuge in more tolerant European regions such as Holland (Amsterdam).

What is Inquisition Persecution?

The Inquisition was a system of courts established in medieval and early modern Europe, affiliated with the Catholic Church, to find, judge, and punish individuals considered “heretics” (deviant from faith). The reason it is referred to as “persecution” is that its judicial methods were based on fear and torture rather than justice.

Here are the cornerstones of the Inquisition’s persecution:

1. Interrogation and Torture Methods

In Inquisition courts, the principle was not “everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” but rather, “everyone is guilty until proven innocent.”

Compulsory Confession: Suspects were expected to confess their crimes. If no confession was given, severe methods such as suspension, the rack, and water torture were applied to “make them tell the truth.”
Secret Denunciation: You could never know who denounced you. This created an atmosphere of distrust where neighbors feared each other.

2. The Spanish Inquisition (The Most Violent)

Established in 1478, this structure was different from others in that it was directly subordinate to the monarchy.

Target: Individuals suspected of converting from Islam or Judaism to Christianity but secretly continuing to practice their old religions (Marranos and Moriscos).
Auto-da-fé (Act of Faith): This had become a “punishment spectacle” where convicts were publicly humiliated in ceremonies, often followed by execution by burning.

3. Suppression of Thought and Science

Not only religious beliefs but also scientific truths that contradicted the Church’s worldview were punished.

Famous Victims: Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake for saying there might be other worlds in the universe. Galileo Galilei was sentenced to lifelong house arrest by the Inquisition for arguing that the Earth revolves.
Index Librorum Prohibitorum (List of Prohibited Books): Scientific and philosophical books deemed dangerous by the Church were forbidden, which suppressed freedom of thought in Europe for centuries.

4. Social and Psychological Impact

The Inquisition created a complete “witch hunt” atmosphere in society. Women (accused of witchcraft for healing or midwifery), scientists, Jews, and Muslims were primary targets of this system. The confiscation of their assets also shows that the system was driven by economic motivation.

In summary, Inquisition persecution represents a dark period where religion was used as a tool for political and social control, and those who were different were seen as enemies to be “purged.”

When did the Inquisition end?

The Spanish Inquisition was officially and completely abolished by a decree of Queen Maria Christina on July 15, 1834.

The process of ending this system, which had existed for approximately 356 years since its establishment in 1478, did not happen in a single day but through a period of political turmoil:

Napoleon’s Intervention (1808): Napoleon Bonaparte, who invaded Spain, abolished the Inquisition for the first time in line with the principles of the French Revolution.
Cadiz Constitution (1812–1814): The Spanish liberal assembly resisting the French occupation declared the Inquisition unconstitutional. However, after Napoleon was defeated and King Ferdinand VII returned to the throne, he reopened the institution in 1814.
Last Execution (1826): The last person condemned and executed by the Inquisition was Cayetano Ripoll, a schoolmaster from Valencia, accused of spreading deism and corrupted doctrines (executed by hanging).
Definitive Closure (1834): After the death of King Ferdinand VII, the regent Queen Maria Christina, as part of liberal reforms, buried the Inquisition in history, never to be reopened.