8 july 2018
Israeli prosecutors are set to file an indictment against a Turkish national on Sunday, according to Israeli daily Haaretz.
Ebru Özkan, 27, was arrested by Israeli police at Ben Gurion Airport on 11th June when she was returning to Turkey for alleged links with "terrorist groups".
Özkan's lawyer said that the Israeli police accused her of working with Hamas members in a research center in Turkey, which Özkan completely denied.
Ebru Özkan, 27, was arrested by Israeli police at Ben Gurion Airport on 11th June when she was returning to Turkey for alleged links with "terrorist groups".
Özkan's lawyer said that the Israeli police accused her of working with Hamas members in a research center in Turkey, which Özkan completely denied.
Israel may plan to impose restrictions on the charitable activities of TIKA, Turkey's overseas aid arm, after Arab countries accused Turkey of trying to wield greater influence in east Jerusalem, according to an Israeli TV report aired Saturday.
Late last month, Haaretz newspaper had reported that Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority had all warned the Israeli government of Turkish moves to boost its presence in Jerusalem.
According to Israel Television News Company, Israeli officials are keeping a close eye on Turkish organizations active in the holy city and also have fears over the growing participation of Turkish nationals in Palestinian protests in the city.
The TV report, which did not cite sources, conveyed Israel’s concern over Turkey’s attempts to impose its influence over the Aqsa Mosque through different activities and to strengthen the steadfastness of the Jerusalemites, the native population of the holy city.
Israel's national security council reportedly drafted a plan to curtail TIKA's activities in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, the report claimed.
The report suggested Israel would demand the charity obtain unspecified "approval" for its activities or that Israel would place a "general restriction" on it.
The plan would only be enacted with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's approval and is slated for further discussion next week, the report said.
Late last month, Haaretz newspaper had reported that Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority had all warned the Israeli government of Turkish moves to boost its presence in Jerusalem.
According to Israel Television News Company, Israeli officials are keeping a close eye on Turkish organizations active in the holy city and also have fears over the growing participation of Turkish nationals in Palestinian protests in the city.
The TV report, which did not cite sources, conveyed Israel’s concern over Turkey’s attempts to impose its influence over the Aqsa Mosque through different activities and to strengthen the steadfastness of the Jerusalemites, the native population of the holy city.
Israel's national security council reportedly drafted a plan to curtail TIKA's activities in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, the report claimed.
The report suggested Israel would demand the charity obtain unspecified "approval" for its activities or that Israel would place a "general restriction" on it.
The plan would only be enacted with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's approval and is slated for further discussion next week, the report said.
29 june 2018
Haaretz newspaper has revealed that specific Arab countries complained last year to Israel about Turkey’s active role in east Jerusalem.
The newspaper claimed that Jordan and Saudi Arabia as well as the Palestinian Authority have sent letters to Israel voicing their concern over Turkey’s growing influence in areas of east Jerusalem.
It said that those countries and the PA stated in their letters that Turkey was actively present in east Jerusalem through institutions and societies that provide support for the Palestinian natives of Jerusalem.
Their letter affirmed that the Turkish activities in east Jerusalem would threaten their interests and those of Israel.
The newspaper claimed that Jordan and Saudi Arabia as well as the Palestinian Authority have sent letters to Israel voicing their concern over Turkey’s growing influence in areas of east Jerusalem.
It said that those countries and the PA stated in their letters that Turkey was actively present in east Jerusalem through institutions and societies that provide support for the Palestinian natives of Jerusalem.
Their letter affirmed that the Turkish activities in east Jerusalem would threaten their interests and those of Israel.
16 june 2018
Turkey's Prime Minister Yıldırım tells TV show 'The Israeli singer wasn’t good. Israel is only able to kill, not to sing,' arguing that the voting system was changed so Israel could win and host the competition in Jerusalem, thus 'sowing strife between religions.'
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım accused Israel on Friday of tampering with the Eurovision Song Contest results so it could win it with Netta Barzilai's song "Toy."
"The Israeli singer wasn’t good. Israel is only able to kill, not to sing,” he charged during an interview with Turkish Babala TV.
Yıldırım implied Israel had faked its win in order to hold next year's Eurovision in Jerusalem and instigate a religious war.
"The song contest this year developed to an ideological thing. For the first time, they let Israel win the competition so that they can host it next year," he claimed.
Yıldırım argued Israel had won this year's Eurovision despite not receiving the highest score.
"They let them win despite not getting points as it’s being held in the country next year that won. They changed the voting method. They planned everything so that it can be held in Jerusalem purposely," Yıldırım claimed.
"The imperialists did it since they want the contest to be held in Jerusalem next year in order to sow strife between religions" in the region, he went on to say.
Turkey hasn't participated in the singing competition since 2013. It decided to boycott the Eurovision, claiming there was discrimination in favor of the large countries in the European Union.
Yıldırım told Babala TV that Turkey does not plan to return to the competition.
Turkey is not the only country to come out against the possibility of holding the Eurovision in Jerusalem next year.
Some 22,000 of Iceland's citizens signed an online petition demanding to boycott the contest in the wake of the Gaza border violence and Israel's policy towards Palestinians. As a result, Iceland's RÚV national public broadcasting organization is expected to convene in the near future to decide whether the country will cancel its participation next year.
In The Netherlands, a parody of Israel's winning song "Toy" was criticized by Jewish and pro-Israel groups as "anti-Semitic."
Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım accused Israel on Friday of tampering with the Eurovision Song Contest results so it could win it with Netta Barzilai's song "Toy."
"The Israeli singer wasn’t good. Israel is only able to kill, not to sing,” he charged during an interview with Turkish Babala TV.
Yıldırım implied Israel had faked its win in order to hold next year's Eurovision in Jerusalem and instigate a religious war.
"The song contest this year developed to an ideological thing. For the first time, they let Israel win the competition so that they can host it next year," he claimed.
Yıldırım argued Israel had won this year's Eurovision despite not receiving the highest score.
"They let them win despite not getting points as it’s being held in the country next year that won. They changed the voting method. They planned everything so that it can be held in Jerusalem purposely," Yıldırım claimed.
"The imperialists did it since they want the contest to be held in Jerusalem next year in order to sow strife between religions" in the region, he went on to say.
Turkey hasn't participated in the singing competition since 2013. It decided to boycott the Eurovision, claiming there was discrimination in favor of the large countries in the European Union.
Yıldırım told Babala TV that Turkey does not plan to return to the competition.
Turkey is not the only country to come out against the possibility of holding the Eurovision in Jerusalem next year.
Some 22,000 of Iceland's citizens signed an online petition demanding to boycott the contest in the wake of the Gaza border violence and Israel's policy towards Palestinians. As a result, Iceland's RÚV national public broadcasting organization is expected to convene in the near future to decide whether the country will cancel its participation next year.
In The Netherlands, a parody of Israel's winning song "Toy" was criticized by Jewish and pro-Israel groups as "anti-Semitic."
23 may 2018
Turkey on Tuesday criticized the UN Security Council for failing to protect civilians during conflicts, particularly in Palestine and Syria.
This was voiced by Turkey's permanent ambassador to the UN Feridun Sinirlioğlu during an open discussion at the Security Council on the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.
Sinirlioğlu said that ensuring the safety of civilians in accordance with the international humanitarian law is one of the primary responsibilities of the Security Council. Unfortunately, he added, the Council's response is far from meeting expectations especially in Syria and Palestine.
He continued to say that the Security Council completely ignores the values the UN has been defending for over 70 years in a clear violation of the principles of international law.
He stressed that the targeting of innocent civilians cannot be justified, adding that decisive accountability mechanisms should be adopted.
According to official statistics, the Israeli occupation army on 14th May killed 62 Palestinians and injured 3,188 while they were peacefully protesting near Gaza's eastern border fence.
This was voiced by Turkey's permanent ambassador to the UN Feridun Sinirlioğlu during an open discussion at the Security Council on the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.
Sinirlioğlu said that ensuring the safety of civilians in accordance with the international humanitarian law is one of the primary responsibilities of the Security Council. Unfortunately, he added, the Council's response is far from meeting expectations especially in Syria and Palestine.
He continued to say that the Security Council completely ignores the values the UN has been defending for over 70 years in a clear violation of the principles of international law.
He stressed that the targeting of innocent civilians cannot be justified, adding that decisive accountability mechanisms should be adopted.
According to official statistics, the Israeli occupation army on 14th May killed 62 Palestinians and injured 3,188 while they were peacefully protesting near Gaza's eastern border fence.
Israel’s parliament (Knesset) will debate recognizing the alleged Armenian genocide, amid a diplomatic spat with Turkey over the murder of dozens of Palestinian protesters by Israeli troops on the Gaza border last week.
It is the first time in years that the Israeli foreign ministry has not objected to a debate on the alleged Ottoman Empire’s massacre of some 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 during World War One.
The debate is expected to be held in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday, public broadcaster Kann reported Tuesday reported.
Israel has refrained from formally recognizing the genocide due to its diplomatic ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The row escalated on Wednesday when Turkish authorities subjected the departing Israeli Ambassador Eitan Na'eh to a rigorous security check at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and invited local TV crews to film it.
Both the country's envoys and consuls in Jerusalem and Istanbul respectively were also withdrawn back to their respective capitals.
Israeli lawmakers had said last week that they would put forth bills proposing officially recognizing the Armenian genocide as the crisis escalated.
Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and senior Zionist Union MK Tzipi Livni all expressed their support for such initiatives.
Turkey -- the Ottoman Empire's successor state -- argues that the massacre was a collective tragedy in which equal numbers of Turks and Armenians died.
Another resolution to suspend cement imports from Turkey is also slated to be debated by the Knesset.
The fragile Israel-Turkey relationship was thrown into disrepair last week as Ankara condemned the killing of 60 Palestinians on Gaza border protests as a massacre, withdrawing its ambassador from Israel and kicking out Israel’s envoy a day later.
It is the first time in years that the Israeli foreign ministry has not objected to a debate on the alleged Ottoman Empire’s massacre of some 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 during World War One.
The debate is expected to be held in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, on Wednesday, public broadcaster Kann reported Tuesday reported.
Israel has refrained from formally recognizing the genocide due to its diplomatic ties with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The row escalated on Wednesday when Turkish authorities subjected the departing Israeli Ambassador Eitan Na'eh to a rigorous security check at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport and invited local TV crews to film it.
Both the country's envoys and consuls in Jerusalem and Istanbul respectively were also withdrawn back to their respective capitals.
Israeli lawmakers had said last week that they would put forth bills proposing officially recognizing the Armenian genocide as the crisis escalated.
Intelligence Minister Israel Katz, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and senior Zionist Union MK Tzipi Livni all expressed their support for such initiatives.
Turkey -- the Ottoman Empire's successor state -- argues that the massacre was a collective tragedy in which equal numbers of Turks and Armenians died.
Another resolution to suspend cement imports from Turkey is also slated to be debated by the Knesset.
The fragile Israel-Turkey relationship was thrown into disrepair last week as Ankara condemned the killing of 60 Palestinians on Gaza border protests as a massacre, withdrawing its ambassador from Israel and kicking out Israel’s envoy a day later.
10 may 2018
UNRWA has declared that it has received a donation worth 10 million US dollars from Turkey in support of its programs.
UNRWA said in a press release on Wednesday that Turkey pledged 26,000 metric tons of wheat in support of nearly one million refugees in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Turkish president Recep Erdogan met with UNRWA commissioner general Pierre Krahenbuhl in Ankara on Tuesday.
According to the press release, Erdogan stressed his commitment to the support of the agency and the Palestinian refugees, saying "we will stand with UNRWA at this delicate time and mobilize our national mechanisms to support its 'Dignity is Priceless' campaign during Ramadan."
Krahenbuhl considered the meeting "a source of encouragement,” and stressed that “UNRWA services for 526,000 students and millions of Palestine refugees must be preserved."
UNRWA said in a press release on Wednesday that Turkey pledged 26,000 metric tons of wheat in support of nearly one million refugees in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Turkish president Recep Erdogan met with UNRWA commissioner general Pierre Krahenbuhl in Ankara on Tuesday.
According to the press release, Erdogan stressed his commitment to the support of the agency and the Palestinian refugees, saying "we will stand with UNRWA at this delicate time and mobilize our national mechanisms to support its 'Dignity is Priceless' campaign during Ramadan."
Krahenbuhl considered the meeting "a source of encouragement,” and stressed that “UNRWA services for 526,000 students and millions of Palestine refugees must be preserved."
The Turkish presidency has announced the launch of a humanitarian aid campaign to help the Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan in cooperation with the UN.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told a news conference on Wednesday that his country decided to take step after the US administration shrank its aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Kalin affirmed that Turkish president Recep Erdogan, in his capacity as chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, would send letters to leaders of Islamic countries to urge them to launch similar campaigns to support the Palestinians.
He described the intended opening of the US embassy in Occupied Jerusalem on May 14 as “null and void to Turkey,” stressing that his country would continue its efforts to protect the religious and cultural identity of the holy city, “which is a red line to Ankara.”
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told a news conference on Wednesday that his country decided to take step after the US administration shrank its aid to the Palestinian Authority.
Kalin affirmed that Turkish president Recep Erdogan, in his capacity as chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, would send letters to leaders of Islamic countries to urge them to launch similar campaigns to support the Palestinians.
He described the intended opening of the US embassy in Occupied Jerusalem on May 14 as “null and void to Turkey,” stressing that his country would continue its efforts to protect the religious and cultural identity of the holy city, “which is a red line to Ankara.”
19 mar 2018
While boarding the plane, the three young men joked 'What would happen here if there was an explosion?' A flight attendant who heard them reported it to the captain, and the flight was delayed by three hours as the Israelis' bags were taken out of the luggage hold and checked.
Three Israelis were removed from a Turkish Airlines flight last week and arrested at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport for making jokes aloud about explosive devices and behaving in a generally unruly manner.
“What would happen here if there was an explosion?” the youths joked aloud.
Their flight was consequently delayed for three hours until all of their belongings were unloaded from the plane and their bags checked.
The flight was supposed to depart at 6:20pm, but the three Israeli youths prevented the prompt takeoff with their disorderly behavior.
The Israeli Consulate in Istanbul said that “the three Israelis joked around out loud while boarding the plane about explosive devices and the like. The flight attendant who heard them told the captain. He ordered to delay the flight, unload their luggage and check their bags.”
After landing in Israel, the three were taken in for questioning by the police and were later released.
Three Israelis were removed from a Turkish Airlines flight last week and arrested at the Istanbul Atatürk Airport for making jokes aloud about explosive devices and behaving in a generally unruly manner.
“What would happen here if there was an explosion?” the youths joked aloud.
Their flight was consequently delayed for three hours until all of their belongings were unloaded from the plane and their bags checked.
The flight was supposed to depart at 6:20pm, but the three Israeli youths prevented the prompt takeoff with their disorderly behavior.
The Israeli Consulate in Istanbul said that “the three Israelis joked around out loud while boarding the plane about explosive devices and the like. The flight attendant who heard them told the captain. He ordered to delay the flight, unload their luggage and check their bags.”
After landing in Israel, the three were taken in for questioning by the police and were later released.
14 feb 2018
Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said that Israel's Shin Bet accusations that the Turkish academic Cemil Tekeli is involved in providing military assistance to Hamas are "incompatible with reality".
Spokesman for the Ministry Hami Aksoy said, "We reject the unrealistic allegations introduced by the Israeli intelligence on the basis of some statements obtained from our detained citizen under ambiguous circumstances."
The Israeli authorities on Sunday released Tekeli, who is a professor from Istanbul Medeniyet University, after detaining him for 26 days.
Tekeli, who arrived in Turkey through Istanbul Atatürk Airport, said that he was ill-treated, stripped of his clothes and held handcuffed in a very cold room.
The Shin Bet on Monday released information about the arrest of Cemil Tekeli and a Palestinian from the 1948 occupied Palestine and claimed that they were recruited by Zaher Jabarin, a senior Hamas figure who was released from Israeli jails in the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner swap deal, to transfer funds to Hamas.
The Shin Bet said that Tekeli revealed during interrogation that Turkey sends large amounts of money to Hamas through SADAT company, which was established by Adnan Basha, who is closely connected to Turkish government officials, to help establish a Palestinian army to fight Israel.
Spokesman for the Ministry Hami Aksoy said, "We reject the unrealistic allegations introduced by the Israeli intelligence on the basis of some statements obtained from our detained citizen under ambiguous circumstances."
The Israeli authorities on Sunday released Tekeli, who is a professor from Istanbul Medeniyet University, after detaining him for 26 days.
Tekeli, who arrived in Turkey through Istanbul Atatürk Airport, said that he was ill-treated, stripped of his clothes and held handcuffed in a very cold room.
The Shin Bet on Monday released information about the arrest of Cemil Tekeli and a Palestinian from the 1948 occupied Palestine and claimed that they were recruited by Zaher Jabarin, a senior Hamas figure who was released from Israeli jails in the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner swap deal, to transfer funds to Hamas.
The Shin Bet said that Tekeli revealed during interrogation that Turkey sends large amounts of money to Hamas through SADAT company, which was established by Adnan Basha, who is closely connected to Turkish government officials, to help establish a Palestinian army to fight Israel.
10 feb 2018
Turkey’s Council of Higher Education has decided to establish the first research center focusing on the history of Occupied Jerusalem.
According to TRT satellite channel, the council decided to establish a center for applied research and Jerusalem studies to keep the issue of the holy city high on the international agenda.
Istanbul's Marmara University will host the new research center, and preparations have been launched in this regard.
The center will perform academic and scholarly studies on Jerusalem, one of the most important issues in the Islamic world and the Middle East.
It will also hold symposiums, seminars, workshops, conferences and other Jerusalem oriented activities inside and outside the country, and will promote postgraduate and doctoral studies focusing on the holy city.
In addition, projects will be developed and carried out in cooperation with national and international institutions and organizations in the field of Jerusalem studies.
Reports, analyses, newsletters, magazines, and books on Jerusalem will also be published.
There are plans to make the center provide a specialized library and database on the city and its history for undergraduate and post-graduate students.
According to TRT satellite channel, the council decided to establish a center for applied research and Jerusalem studies to keep the issue of the holy city high on the international agenda.
Istanbul's Marmara University will host the new research center, and preparations have been launched in this regard.
The center will perform academic and scholarly studies on Jerusalem, one of the most important issues in the Islamic world and the Middle East.
It will also hold symposiums, seminars, workshops, conferences and other Jerusalem oriented activities inside and outside the country, and will promote postgraduate and doctoral studies focusing on the holy city.
In addition, projects will be developed and carried out in cooperation with national and international institutions and organizations in the field of Jerusalem studies.
Reports, analyses, newsletters, magazines, and books on Jerusalem will also be published.
There are plans to make the center provide a specialized library and database on the city and its history for undergraduate and post-graduate students.
2 feb 2018
The Spokesperson of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hami Aksoy, said that his country is concerned over the decision of the US Administration that blacklisted Head of Hamas Movement, Ismail Haneeya, as a "global terrorist".
"The US decision which disregards the realities on the ground could undermine the Middle East Peace Process, including the efforts for intra-Palestinian peace and reconciliation", he said
"We also hope that the decision will not have a negative impact on our country’s humanitarian assistance and economic development activities towards Gaza", he added.
"It is obvious that this decision, which overlooks the fact that Hamas is an important reality of Palestinian political life, cannot make any contribution to the just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict", Aksoy said.
The US State Department issued a press release on Wednesday blacklisting Haneyya as a "global terrorist".
"The US decision which disregards the realities on the ground could undermine the Middle East Peace Process, including the efforts for intra-Palestinian peace and reconciliation", he said
"We also hope that the decision will not have a negative impact on our country’s humanitarian assistance and economic development activities towards Gaza", he added.
"It is obvious that this decision, which overlooks the fact that Hamas is an important reality of Palestinian political life, cannot make any contribution to the just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict", Aksoy said.
The US State Department issued a press release on Wednesday blacklisting Haneyya as a "global terrorist".
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