Türkiye Arrests 33 People Suspected of Spying for Israel

Suspected Involvement of Israeli Mossad, 13 More Being Tracked
Erdogan: “Their activities on our territory will have serious consequences”

Turkey has arrested 33 people suspected of spying for Israel. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey has issued a strong warning about Israeli forces attempting to operate in his country.

According to the AP on the 2nd (local time), the Turkish government announced that it has arrested 33 spies suspected of being linked to the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and is currently tracking 13 more.

The arrested individuals were foreigners operating in Istanbul and seven other regions and were planning surveillance, pursuit, assault, and abduction, according to the authorities. The Turkish state media Anadolu reported that the suspects were dispatched to monitor Palestinian nationals living in Turkey and activists who are against the Israeli government and had been in contact with Israeli authorities through social media.

This news comes just a few weeks after Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet announced that it was “ready to destroy Hamas everywhere, including Lebanon, Turkey, and Qatar.”

President Erdogan warned, “If Israel insists on threatening to attack Hamas on Turkish territory, it will have serious consequences.”

Turkey has long criticized Israel’s policy towards Palestine. In particular, the conflict between the two countries has escalated with the leaders exchanging overt criticism since the outbreak of the Israeli war. Last week, President Erdogan likened Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler and demanded a halt to operations in the Gaza Strip. In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu mentioned the mass slaughter of Kurds by Turkey, saying they have no right to criticize.

By. Dae Young Ko