Turkey has arranged for training of Hamas

It continues to amaze me that ANYONE can be surprised at the track of Turkey from at least 2003 onwards.

From Bill Gertz's Geostrategy Direct

1)

Egypt-Turkey alignment against Israel ‘most important shift since 1949’

WASHINGTON — For the first time, Egypt and Turkey have formed what could become an alliance against Israel, a report said.

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy said two U.S. allies in the Middle East were forming a partnership that could result in war against Israel. In a report, the institute said that Turkey, for the first time since 1949, has become hostile toward the Jewish state.

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Arab League’s foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on Sept. 13. Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

“For the first time, the two major states of the eastern Mediterranean are aligning against Israel,” the report, titled “Could Israel and Turkey Go to War?” said. “This is the most important shift in Levantine politics since Camp David or even since 1949 when Turkey recognized Israel.”

[On Sept. 11, shots were fired from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula toward an Israel Army vehicle. Israeli military sources said the gunman was not located and apparently fled the Israeli border after the attack, in which no injuries were reported.]

Authored by analyst Soner Cagaptay, the report said Israel could no longer expect a stable neighbor in Egypt. At the same time, Turkey was said to have been transformed into a belligerent state similar to Egypt under then-President Gamal Abdul Nasser in the 1950s and 1960s.

“Now Turkey and Israel are at dangerously opposing ends of Levantine politics,” the report said. “Not only is Ankara no longer a trusted friend of Israel, but it has also begun to emerge as the key regional actor opposing Israel.”

Cagaptay, director of the Turkish research program at the institute, said Israel faces a “uniquely threatening security environment.” He said Ankara was attempting to intimidate Israel with threats to use the Turkish Navy to escort missions to the Gaza Strip.

“What if the Israelis decide to stop the next Turkish Navy-escorted flotilla as they stopped the Turkish-backed flotilla in 2010?” the report asked. “Will the Turkish Navy ships choose to react? As chilling as this scenario sounds, it is not unlikely. If the two countries fail to slow the escalating situation, they could well find themselves in conflict.”

2) Israel realizing Hamas has become a truly international organization

TEL AVIV — The Israel Security Agency (ISA) said Hamas has established a presence in several major countries, including a NATO member. ISA said Hamas was operating what was termed a command post in Turkey and building a presence in China.

“The Hamas leadership in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey has provided funding, guidance and training for the establishment of terrorist infrastructure,” ISA said. “Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been involved as well, attempting to move weaponry into Judea and Samaria [West Bank] and providing funding for terrorist activities.”

Hamas has established close ties with Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, including Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. FrontPageMag.com

ISA said Hamas has been recruiting operatives in Turkey and planning attacks from the NATO member. The agency said Hamas operatives in the West Bank were in contact with the command in Turkey as well as China, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Officials said ISA made the determination in wake of an investigation of a Hamas network in Jerusalem. The probe uncovered at least 13 Hamas alleged operational squads assigned to conduct mass-casualty strikes in the Israeli capital as well as other cities in the Jewish state.

One cell commander was identified as Ahmed Madhoun, a 44-year-old resident from Hebron who allegedly received $10,000 from Saudi Arabia to purchase weapons for attacks. Operational guidance was said to have been provided from Hamas headquarters in Damascus.

Another detainee was said to have been a senior Hamas operative. Iman Al Adam, 39, was accused of supervising Hamas operations in China, Syria and Turkey.

Officials said Hamas has established close ties with Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, including Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. They said Turkey has arranged for training of Hamas police and security forces despite being listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States.

“How can you trust a [Turkish] government that consorts with Iran and Hamas?” Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon asked.

China was said to have been used by Hamas for the procurement of dual-use equipment and money-laundering. Officials said China has allowed Hamas freedom of movement in the Asian power.

The use of foreign countries was part of Hamas’ strategy to diversify its resources in an effort to rebuild an insurgency capability in the West Bank. Officials said money sent from foreign countries was being used to recruit couriers to suicide bombers.

One Hamas plot called for the bombing of a shopping mall in northern Jerusalem in August. ISA was said to have foiled the attack but provided no details.

“Hamas has been trying to rehabilitate its military infrastructure in Judea and Samaria in order to carry out attacks against Israeli targets,” ISA said.