World

Israel urges nationals to leave Turkey immediately over Iran attack threat

It’s a real and immediate danger, warns FM citing Iranian attempts at carrying out terror attacks in Istanbul

AFP June 13, 2022

People shop ahead of New Year in Istanbul, Turkey, December 30, 2021. PHOTO: REUTERS

JERUSALEM:

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Monday urged citizens in Turkey to leave “as soon as possible” over threats that Iranian operatives are actively planning attacks on Israelis in Istanbul.

“It’s a real and immediate danger,” Lapid told a meeting of lawmakers from his Yesh Atid party, citing “several Iranian attempts at carrying out terror attacks against Israelis on holiday in Istanbul.”

“If you are already in Istanbul, return to Israel as soon as possible,” Lapid said. “If you have planned a flight to Istanbul — cancel. No vacation is worth your life,” he added.

“Do not fly to Turkey at all,” unless such travel is “essential,” the foreign minister added.

Iran and Israel are arch rivals and Tehran has accused the Jewish state of carrying out a series of assassinations targeting senior Iranian nuclear and military personnel.

Most recently, Iran claimed that Israel was responsible for the killing of Revolutionary Guards Col Sayyad Khodai, who was shot dead outside his Tehran home on May 22.

Also read: Israel tells US it was behind killing of Iranian colonel: NYT

Lapid made no reference to any alleged Israeli operations inside Iran.

But he said that some Israelis who recently travelled to Turkey had returned “without knowing their lives were saved”.

The alleged attackers were targeting Israeli citizens “in order to kidnap them or kill them,” Lapid said.

Earlier Monday, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported on Iranian plans to kidnap Israelis in Turkey a month ago, which was thwarted after Israel alerted Ankara about the threat.

Lapid thanked the Turkish government “for the effort they’re putting into protecting the lives of Israeli citizens,” without providing details.

COMMENTS (2)

Marshall | 2 years ago | Reply Israel and American CIA will kill own people themselves and blame Will come on Iran Syria.its old tactics of Americans.

test | 2 years ago | Reply The more quick these zionists leave Turkey the more better it is for the safety of our brotherly turkish nationals and country s security. Wherever these zionists go they will throw their shit at that country. As far as threat to these zionists i would be glad if there would be really a threat to these zionists. Whether there is an Iran attack threat or not i would say if these zionists are insecure i would be glad to know that. Muslim world should remember one and one thing only that is to never ever trust these westerns even if they give up their lives just to convince you. Never ever be convinced by them. Never recognize their contribution. They kill innocent muslims. They do terrorism to our brotherly countries. They broken our empire and made muslim countries an enemy of other muslim countries. Never ever trust these westerns and zionsts. They are snakes who will eventually bite you at the end no matter what.

Replying to X