Turkish American community protests Netflix’s Famagusta series, claiming historical inaccuracies regarding the Cyprus Peace Operation. Concerns raised.
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Famagusta
The Turkish American community is not staying quiet as Netflix prepares to release the controversial series Famagusta on September 20, 2024.
The show, a collaboration between Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration, has ruffled feathers, with many claiming it distorts historical facts surrounding the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation.
Fatih Özonur Leads the Charge
Fatih Özonur, president of the Turkish-American Security Foundation (TASFO), is at the forefront of the protests.
He is far from thrilled about Netflix’s decision to air Famagusta, which he claims glosses over the Turkish victims whom the EOKA terrorist organization murdered.
“This is historical revisionism at its worst,” said Özonur. “The series makes Turkish forces look like invaders, completely ignoring the context of the Cyprus Peace Operation.”
Özonur is not just talking—he is rallying the troops.
He is called on the entire Turkish American community to make their voices heard and not sit idly by while Netflix distorts history.
“This is not just a show. This is about how future generations will understand what happened in Cyprus,” he stressed.
Netflix in Hot Water (Again)
This is not Netflix’s first rodeo with Turkish criticism.
According to Özonur, the platform has a history of airing content that paints Türkiye in a bad light, even citing previous controversy involving Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye.
“It is starting to look like Netflix has it out for us,” he said without a hint of hesitation.
A Letter to Netflix: Kurtuluş Weighs In
Joining the protest is activist Ibrahim Kurtuluş, who sent a fiery letter directly to Netflix’s California headquarters.
Kurtuluş did not mince words, either.
In his letter, he argued that Netflix, as a publicly traded company, has a responsibility to provide historically accurate content.
“The Cyprus Peace Operation was not some land-grab,” he wrote, “It was a legal intervention to protect Turkish Cypriots from the coup organized by the Greek junta.”
Kurtuluş also emphasized the tragic loss endured by Turkish Cypriots, many of whom were buried in mass graves.
“Where are their stories?” he asked.
“The suffering of Turkish families should not be ignored for the sake of a sensationalized series.”
The Plot Thickens: Release Date Controversy
To add salt to the wound, Famagusta is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 26, a date that is significant in Turkish history.
It marks the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, a pivotal event for the Turks in Anatolia.
Coincidence?
The Turkish American community is still determining
Social media quickly criticized the date choice, with users pointing out that it could have been a deliberate move to provoke a reaction from Turkish viewers.
“It is like Netflix is just poking the bear at this point,” one user quipped.
What is Next for Famagusta?
With 16 episodes already aired on Greek television, Famagusta has garnered a fair share of attention.
However, Turkish Americans are pushing back hard, questioning the show’s narrative and Netflix’s role in disseminating it.
“This is not just a TV show,” said Kurtuluş, “It is a battle over the truth.”
As September 20 approaches, the question remains—will Netflix address these concerns, or will the streaming giant press ahead?
For now, the drama surrounding Famagusta is heating up faster than a summer day in Cyprus.
One thing is for sure: this is a showdown worth watching.
A Call to Action
As the release looms, Özonur and Kurtuluş urging Turkish Americans to speak out.
“We cannot let Netflix rewrite history,” said Özonur.
“If we let this slide, what is next?” Kurtuluş added, “We need to make our voices heard, and we need to do it now.”
Stay tuned. This saga is far from over.
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