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Edited by: TJVNews.com
As the war launched by the Hamas terrorist organization against Israel continues to rage on, the Middle East has morphed into a powder keg of sorts, a hotbed for the manifestation of radical Islam as was evidenced in the violent demonstrations that took place last week in such cities as Amman, Beirut and in particular, Istanbul, Turkey. As tensions soar in this war-torn section of the world and acts of terrorism become more commonplace in Europe and elsewhere, it is noteworthy to examine the geo-political character of Turkey.
Under the Islamist leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has become a stalwart supporter of Hamas, which rules the 2.2 million people who reside in the Gaza Strip. Turkey provides financial and logistical support to Hamas, which is a considered a terrorist organization by much of the West, according to a Wikipedia report. Turkey hosts senior Hamas officials, including Saleh al-Arouri. Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh and former chief Khaled Meshal.
According to Israel’s Shin Bet, Hamas has established a command post in Turkey which it uses to recruit operatives and oversee operations in the Middle East. Hamas’ Turkey branch reportedly makes decisions without taking into account the movement as a whole and without involving the Hamas leadership, as was reported by Wikipedia.org. Hamas has reportedly planned attacks against Israel from Turkey, including the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in 2014. Wikipedia also reported that in 2020 Israeli diplomats charged Turkey with furnishing passports and identity cards to Hamas members in Istanbul.
The Turkish government met with Hamas leaders in February 2006, after the organization’s victory in the Palestinian elections. As was noted in the Wikipedia report, in 2010, Prime Minister Erdoğan described Hamas as “resistance fighters who are struggling to defend their land”.
According to a December 29, 2021 report on the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs web site, during the “Pioneers of Jerusalem” conference hosted by Turkey in December 2017, Maher Salah, Hamas’ former leader abroad, directly addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “The fate of your country is to disappear from the world, the fate of your kingdom is to be annihilated. I promise him [Netanyahu] that his country will not celebrate the 100th anniversary.”
A few days later, Turkish President Erdoğan used Hamas terminology from the organization’s Charter when he invoked the “Trees and Stones” hadith. Erdoğan warned: “Those who think they own Jerusalem better know that tomorrow they will not even be able to hide behind trees.”
The JCPA report also said that 2022 marked the 10th anniversary of the official establishment of the Hamas terror organization’s offices in Istanbul, and despite the official Turkish claims, not only Hamas’ political activity is involved. According to the Shabak (Israeli Security Agency), over the years, the Istanbul headquarters, branches, and operatives have directed hundreds of terror attacks and attempted attacks in Israel in particular. For many years, Turkey has relied on the distinction between Hamas’ “political wing” and its “military wing,” however, this rationalization, does not meet the test of reality.
TRAVEL WARNINGS
Israel’s National Security Council, which issues travel warnings for foreign countries, ordered Israeli tourists who are currently in Turkey to leave the country immediately, as was reported last Wednesday by the World Israel News web site.
Public sentiment against Israel in Arab and Islamic countries has soured against the backdrop of the ongoing Swords of Iron War.
WIN also reported that on Wednesday, Turkey’s warning level for Israeli tourists was raised to level 4 – the highest possible designation – and Israeli authorities urged citizens in the country to return to Israel as quickly as possible.
“According to our assessments, there are hundreds of Israelis in Turkey. The threat is very specific, which is why we raised it to level 4 and urged those who are there to leave, and to take extreme precautions while they remain there,” a senior intelligence official told Hebrew-language outlet Ynet on Wednesday.
“We have already seen the accuracy and authenticity of threats in Turkey last year. If Israelis heed the instructions, we can manage this situation.”
The official stated that Israelis who are currently abroad should maintain a low profile and not flaunt their country of origin, the WIN report said.
“It’s not advisable to openly identify as an Israeli abroad right now,” the official stressed.
“Even in places without travel warnings, there should be heightened caution these days, especially in the Middle East.”
In a press statement posted to the body’s website, the NSC emphasized its “recommendation for the public to reconsider planned trips abroad at this time.”
As was noted in the World Israel News report, the NSC also “advises avoiding non-essential travel to countries that have a travel warning, with an emphasis on Arab countries and those bordering Iran (specifically…Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan).”
Taking into account the present political climate in the region, the United States Department of State has advised would be travelers to exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk and the State Department has advised against traveling to Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles of the Syrian border due to terrorism.
Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Turkey. The US State Department web site said that terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.
Security forces have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with terrorist organizations based on scant or secret evidence and grounds that appear to be politically motivated, according to the State Department web site. U.S. citizens have also been subject to travel bans that prevent them from departing Turkey. Participation in demonstrations not explicitly approved by the Government of Turkey, as well as criticism of the government (including on social media), can result in arrest, the State Department added.
Foreign travel advice offered the British government said that there is a high threat of terrorist attacks globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.
Currently, the government of the United Kingdom stated emphatically on their web site that, “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey.”
Most terrorist attacks have taken place in Southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. Citizens from western countries may be targets or caught up in attacks, particularly in major cities, according to the British government.
The UK government site also said that terrorists may target places visited by foreigners, such as public buildings, places of worship, major events and large public gatherings.
Terrorist groups sometimes call for attacks around religious occasions and public holidays.
Previous attacks have included armed assaults, suicide bombings, car bombings, rocket attacks, arson, improvised explosive devices left in bins, crowded areas, shops and on public transport. There is also a heightened risk of terrorist attack against the aviation industry in Turkey.
Terrorist and insurgent groups in Turkey include Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL), PKK, and THKP/C-Acilciler (Turkish People’s Liberation Party/Front) and the DHKP/C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front). There’s a domestic terrorist presence in the southeast of the country including in Van, Bitlis, Bingol, Elazig, Mus, Batman, Erzincan, Diyarbakir and Agri provinces, as was reported by the UK government.
DHKP/C attacks have mainly targeted the Turkish authorities and US diplomatic missions.
Extremist groups based in Syria including Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups have the capacity to carry out attacks in neighboring countries, including Turkey. Daesh has previously targeted border crossings and nearby locations on the Syrian side of the border.
Terrorist groups operating in Syria, including Daesh and Al-Qaeda linked groups, routinely use kidnapping as a tactic. They’re present in the Syrian border areas. Travelers are advised to be particularly vigilant in these locations. Daesh and other terrorist groups may target humanitarian aid workers and journalists. If you’re kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to serve as protection or secure your safe release.
The long-standing policy of the British Government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British Government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities, the web site said. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.
Events in Israel have led to heightened tensions in the region and demonstrations are ongoing in locations across Turkey. Large demonstrations have been reported outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.
In terms of crime, the web site said that street robbery and pick-pocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul.
The web site also advises travelers to buy their own drinks and always keep sight of them so they are not spiked. The site cautioned travelers to be wary of strangers approaching who offer food and drink (which may be drugged), to change money, or to take someone to a restaurant or nightclub.
In a small number of cases, counterfeit alcohol has caused deaths of tourists. .
In 2022, 51 cases of sexual assault, including rape, were reported to British consular staff in Turkey, according to the UK government web site. Most sexual assault cases reported to British consular staff in Turkey have happened during summer holidays in coastal tourist areas. Many were committed at night by someone the victim met during the day, including hotel workers. There have also been sexual attacks on minors visiting toilet facilities alone.
