The Turkish authorities announced on Friday that they had apprehended seven individuals accused of working covertly as operatives for the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. The news of these arrests was initially reported by state-run media outlet, Anadolu, and quickly gained extensive coverage both within and beyond Turkish borders.
Anadolu Agency, the first news outlet to break the news, reported that a meticulous investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office led to the identification and apprehension of the suspects. According to the investigators, the accused were allegedly engaged in espionage activities for Mossad and had communicated classified information through a network of private detectives.
Mossad, the national intelligence agency of Israel, is reputed for its espionage abilities and is believed to conduct a wide range of activities including, but not limited to, collating biographical information, surveillance, investigations, photo-video documentation, live tracking, and placement of tracking devices to gain an upper hand against its designated targets. This, as per Anadolu’s report, emerged during the investigation into the seven Turkish suspects who were caught selling confidential information to the intelligence agency.
This is not the first time that Turkish authorities have clamped down on alleged Mossad operatives. In January,15 suspects were detained on similar charges. Turkish Justice Minister, Yerlikaya, stated publicly that the suspects were working in collaboration with the Israeli Intelligence Service to carry out acts of espionage in Turkey. Their purported mission included discovering, assaulting, and kidnapping foreign nationals residing within the country.
The longstanding diplomatic friction between Turkey and Israel has escalated exponentially owing to the ongoing war in Gaza. After years of attempts to mend relations, this war has caused a nadir in the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been vocal in his criticism of Israel’s role in the Gaza war. At an event commemorating World’s Human Rights Day in late 2023, Erdogan condemned the brutal atrocities perpetrated by Israel in Gaza. Moreover, in December, a surreptitiously recorded conversation, published by Israeli media, revealed that the head of Mossad had condoned the extrajudicial execution of Hamas cadres, irrespective of their geographical location, suggesting that operatives could be targeted in countries including Qatar, Turkey, and Lebanon.
Furthermore, Erdogan provoked controversy and was deemed as challenging Israel’s national security when he publicly proclaimed the terrorist organization, Hamas, which had launched a fatal attack on Israel on October 7, as a legitimate political entity. This statement caused further tensions and strained already tenuous relations between the two countries.
As the geopolitical scenario continues to evolve, the actions and reactions of both Turkey and Israel to these circumstances will undeniably play a critical role in shaping the future of their bilateral relations, stability in the Middle-East, and global peace.
Reference:
Jurist News Article
