Former head of the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, Nitzan Nuriel, is calling on Israelis in Turkey to operate cautiously in light of information that terror elements are seeking to carry out attacks against Israeli targets
The Counter-Terrorism Bureau increased its existing travel alert for Turkey yesterday (Tuesday), following intelligence information that terror elements intend to carry out attacks against Israeli or Jewish targets.
In a special interview for IsraelDefense, the former head of the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, Nitzan Nuriel, explained that behind the bureau’s decision was “a coalition of jihadists, and it makes no difference if it’s Hezbollah, the Revolutionary Guard, or anyone else who is identifying Turkey as a convenient place to operate. The country has a shared border with Iran and Syria, and the anti-Israeli sentiment is very extensive.”
He continued, by saying, “The truth needs to be said – there is a sort of cooperation between the terrorists and the local security forces in Turkey.” This morning the Turkish media reported that Turkey’s Prime Minister, Tayyip Rajab Erdogan, sent a warning to Iran in which he warned the Revolutionary Guard against hurting Israelis or Jews. Nuriel believes that this was only “lip service.” “They just don’t want to find themselves arresting Iranians for the moment, so they prefer to hint that they not reach them.” He added that so far, no one has demanded that the terrorists that have already operated in Turkey answer for their actions. “Turkey knows who carried out the May 2011 attacks (in which several people were wounded in what was apparently an attempt to hurt the Israeli consul), and have yet to punish those responsible. The terrorists are operating in a convenient arena, in which there are many targets, and they know they will not pay a price for it.”
According to Nuriel, there are three possible targets for terrorists in Turkey – the Jewish community, Israeli diplomats, and business people from Israel that reside in the country. “With regards to the Jews, the Turkish government is responsible for protecting them, as they protect other populations in the country. The diplomats are secured by Israel. The business people, however, are the most vulnerable targets at the moment, which is why the travel warning was escalated.
“Business in Turkey might be good for the Israeli economy, but business people must be offered several ways to reduce their risk of danger. It’s recommended that the same cab driver not be taken more than once; meet in central and bustling areas, not in remote locations; it’s best to go to a meeting with two people, and carefully inspect every businessman you are invited to meet for the first time, regardless of how tempting and lucrative his proposal may be,” Nuriel explains.
Facebook Warnings
Nuriel said that the Counter-Terrorism Bureau launched a Facebook page two weeks ago that publishes travel warnings for Israelis overseas. It was made especially for Israeli backpackers and those residing overseas for long durations who are not up-to-date regarding news events in Israel.
“Travelers, especially youths, go to distant locations in the world and upload their photos to Facebook in real-time. What they don’t realize is that they’re making a doubled mistake. They’re essentially telling anyone looking at the page, ‘Hey, I’m here, and I’m an Israeli.’ It’s better to upload photos from the trip a week later after leaving the place.”
Bernd Pulch 