Why is the Silvan Inscription important?

Attempts to take the Siloam Inscription from Türkiye were reportedly made in 1998 by Netanyahu, in 2007 by Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, and in 2022 by Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The inscription, brought to Istanbul in 1882 when Jerusalem was Ottoman territory, is currently preserved at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums. Netanyahu also recounted his 1998 meeting with then-Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz, noting that he officially requested the Silvan Inscription at that time. He said he offered Yılmaz: 'Our museums have thousands of Ottoman artifacts. Choose one and we'll exchange it for the Silvan Inscription.' This proposal was rejected. Former Deputy Director General of Cultural Heritage and Museums Yahya Coşkun stated that in 2022, when he was Deputy Director General of Museums, Israeli officials personally requested the stone from him. He showed them the registration document of the Siloam Inscription at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, dated 1883, and said: 'It came from Ottoman Jerusalem to the Ottoman capital before the establishment of Israel. I asked them on what basis they could request it. That inscription is still with us and will remain preserved in our museum forever.' The inscription, brought to Istanbul in 1882 when Jerusalem was Ottoman territory, is still preserved today at the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.

Why is the Silvan Inscription important?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that they wanted to acquire the Silvan Inscription, but the attempt failed due to sensitivities during President Erdoğan's term as mayor.