- Over forty individuals arrested for spying on Palestinian activists in Turkey.
- Recruitment process involved social media ads and communication via apps.
- Money sent to network members outside Turkey via intermediaries or cryptocurrencies.
- Mossad trained agents outside Turkey on lie detector tests and secret communication.
- Tasks included video and photography work, GPS installation, assault, blackmailing, spreading false news, creating foreigner databases, smuggling, and emergency preparedness.
- Turkey urges Israel to prevent illegal activities and reminds Israel of security agreements against targeting on Turkish soil.
- Arrests may also, target Iran, as Turkey accuses Iran of assassinating opponents on Turkish soil.
Recently, Turkey has announced that they arrested over forty people who were working for the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. These people were recruited to spy on and kidnap Palestinian activists living in Turkey and their families. This is a big deal because Turkey and Israel have been trying to improve their relationship since the end of 2022.
The Intelligence Report
Before we dive into the messages behind these arrests, let's take a look at the intelligence report that was released. It gives us some insight into how this spy network operated.
Recruitment
The report says that Mossad recruited these people by posting ads on social media or chat groups. They would then communicate with the people who responded to these ads through apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. These agents were then tasked with recruiting others and gathering information about Palestinians living in Turkey and their families.
Finance
The report also mentions how Mossad sent money to the network members. They would either deliver the money outside of Turkey, using special bags to hide it, or they would use intermediaries or cryptocurrencies to avoid detection by Turkish security.
Training
Mossad would meet with its agents outside of Turkey to train them. They would stay in fancy hotels and eat at luxury restaurants to avoid being monitored. During these trips, the agents would undergo lie detector tests and receive training on secret communication and encryption.
Assigning Tasks
The recruits had various tasks, including video and photography work, installing GPS devices in targets' cars, assaulting and blackmailing targets, spreading false news online, and creating databases of foreigners in Turkey. They were also involved in smuggling people and goods across borders and preparing ambulances for emergencies.
Ankara's Messages
What are the messages that Turkey wanted to send through these arrests?
Turkish intelligence released this report after arresting the members of the spy network. They wanted to show Israel that they won't tolerate any illegal activities happening on their territory. A Turkish intelligence official said that they strongly encourage all parties involved to avoid similar activities in the future.
Turkey also wants to remind Israel that even though they have security agreements, it doesn't mean they can target anyone on Turkish soil, especially Palestinians. In the past, there have been cases where Israeli intelligence tried to carry out assassinations in Turkey, which is against the agreements they made.
These messages from Turkey might not only be for Israel but also for Iran. Turkey has accused Iran of assassinating opponents of their regime on Turkish soil before. With tensions rising between Iran and Israel, Turkey wants to make sure their land isn't used for settling scores between these two countries.
It's important to note that on the same day Turkey announced the spy network arrests, Israel assassinated a Hamas leader in Lebanon. This shows that Turkey's security measures were necessary and shouldn't be taken lightly.
In conclusion, Turkey arrested a spy network working for Israel, and they wanted to send some important messages through these arrests. They want to make sure that no illegal activities happen on their soil and remind Israel and Iran about their agreements. It's interesting to see how countries communicate with each other, even through actions like these arrests.
