Because of concerns about retaliatory attacks by Iran: Israel recalls citizens from Turkey and threatens Tehran
Created: 06/13/2022, 17:22
By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi
Israel is concerned about possible Iranian Revolutionary Guards attacks on Israeli tourists in Turkey.
The country is now recalling citizens.
Tel Aviv/Munich — Iran has lost many prominent names in assassinations, attacks and questionable casualties in recent years.
From the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's infamous Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, to Mohsen Fakhrisadeh, a nuclear scientist involved in Iran's nuclear program, to officers Ali Ismailsadeh and Hassan Sayid Chodayari.
Iran blames Israel for most of the attacks, or at least suspects that Israeli security agencies, particularly the Mossad secret service, were involved.
Now the Israeli government fears retaliation against Israeli tourists in Turkey.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid recalled Israeli citizens from the country.
Apparently, Turkish security authorities have already been able to prevent attacks.
Israel-Iran conflict: Israeli citizens in Turkey recalled - "real and imminent danger"
"Following the events of the past few weeks in Turkey and a series of attempts by Iranian terrorist attacks against Israelis vacationing in Istanbul, we call on Israelis not to fly to Istanbul," Lapid wrote on Twitter.
If not absolutely necessary, one should not travel to Turkey.
"If you are already in Istanbul, return to Israel as soon as possible," the Israeli foreign minister appealed to citizens.
In recent weeks, they have also taken part in an "enormous effort" to save the lives of Israeli tourists.
“They deliberately select Israeli citizens to kidnap or murder.
It can happen to anyone," Lapid warned, adding, "This is a real and imminent danger." Lapid's message on Twitter ended with a threat to Iran: "I also want to send a message to the Iranians.
Anyone who harms Israelis will not find peace.
Israel's long arm will get you anywhere.”
Israel-Iran conflict: Lapid thanks Turkey - Ankara apparently thwarts attack against Israeli citizens
The Israeli foreign minister also thanked Turkey "for the efforts it is making to protect the lives of Israeli citizens."
Although tourism is important for both countries, Turkey also recognizes that there are risks that cannot be accepted.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (r) receives his Israeli counterpart Izchak Herzog in the presidential complex in Ankara.
(Archive image) © Haim Zach/GPO/dpa
Amid a gradual political reconciliation between Turkey and Israel, media reports citing Israeli officials suggest full cooperation between the two countries against potential attacks on Israeli citizens.
The Israeli broadcaster Kan News reported that Turkish and Israeli security authorities had prevented the attack by an Iranian network.
The Israeli side asked for Turkey's help and provided Ankara with information about the Iranian network.
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A senior Israeli security official gave
more details about the incidents in Turkey to the Israeli news portal
Walla News .
A few weeks ago, Turkish security forces arrested several people who apparently wanted to kidnap Israeli tourists on orders from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
"This happened within the framework of information and security cooperation between Turkey and Israel," he also underlined.
In addition, Turkey was informed in advance about Lapid's message on Twitter: "You did not oppose it.
They understand the situation and take it seriously.”
Israel-Iran conflict: Tehran wants retaliation for Israeli operations on Iranian soil
Iran has repeatedly threatened Israel with retaliation for attacks on Iranian security officers and high-ranking individuals, mostly on Iranian territory.
Although the attack on Quds Force General Qasem Soleimani was carried out by a US drone, former Israeli military intelligence chief Tamir Heyman confirmed Israel's involvement.
The next serious blow to Iran came in November 2020, when nuclear physicist Mohsin Fakhrisadeh, who played a key role in Iran's nuclear program, was killed near the town of Absard.
A report in the US newspaper The New York Times revealed how Israel had prepared and successfully implemented an elaborate plan for the assassination of Fakhrisadeh.
The aim was to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons and to delay the nuclear program.
However, the desired effect was not as great as hoped, an Israeli official told Keshet 12.
Finally, in April 2021, an explosion occurred at Iran's Natanz reactor.
Tehran spoke of a "terrorist attack" and blamed 43-year-old worker Reza Karimi for the blast, British newspaper
The Guardian
reported .
Karimi is said to have acted on orders from Israel and left the country a few hours before the blast, Iran claimed.
In fact, US intelligence officials confirmed to The
New York Times
that it was an Israeli plan.
The explosion destroyed most of the centrifuges and delayed Iran's nuclear program by 9 months, it said.
According to Israel, Iran now wants to target Israeli citizens in retaliation for these and dozens of other incidents.
"We hope and believe that this warning will not last," Israeli Foreign Minister Lapid wrote on Twitter.
Until then, however, the warning stands and Israeli citizens will have to choose other travel destinations than Turkey.
(bb)
