2020 Cilt 29 Sayı 2

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Jews in the ottoman foreign service dispatched in the romanian principalities (Wallachia and Moldova) until early 20th century
(Uludağ Üniversitesi, 2020-11-12) Şenay, Bülent; İlahiyat Fakültesi; 0000-0002-4683-3417
This paper deals with the Jewish diplomatic representatives dispatched by the Ottomans in the Romanian principalities (Wallachia and Moldova) during the 19th century. Throughout history, various types of representatives of the Ottoman Sublime Porte (Bâb-ı Âli) could be met first at the Wallachian and Moldovan Princely Courts, and later on at Romania’s Princely Court (after 1859), respectively Royal Court (after 1866). These included what could be called “official diplomats,” but also other types of envoys, such as financial delegates. At the same time, the Sultan could choose to be represented by a special emissary sent from Constantinople or by a local resident who would serve as what we would call today “honorary consul.” Not surprisingly in the Ottoman tradition, among these representatives of the Sublime Porte one can find a number of Jews, mostly, but not exclusively, Sephardic. Surprising, on the other hand, is the fact that some of these Jews were legal subjects of other states (i.e. the Austrian Empire), but this did not prevent the Ottoman officials from appointing them as their personal envoys. The paper therefore traces the evolution of this complex diplomatic representation from the 16th century until the turn of the 20th century.