Security experts are raising the alarm after a convicted Hamas terrorist, who murdered a British woman in a bomb attack, was revealed to be living freely in Turkey. This development poses a direct threat to the four million British tourists who visit the country each year.
The Bomber and His Victim
Ishaq Taher Salah Arafah, 39, was serving a life sentence for plotting and carrying out the 2011 bomb attack that killed Mary Jane Gardner, a 59-year-old Scottish-born Bible translator. The explosive device was hidden in a plastic bag near a bus station in Jerusalem.
Despite his life sentence, Arafah walked free in January of this year after serving just 14 years behind bars. He was released as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. He is now at large in Istanbul, where social media posts have shown him meeting family in a hotel, walking the streets, and giving interviews.
A Direct Threat to British Citizens
Professor Anthony Glees, a leading security expert, stated that this situation is not merely a political issue but a 'serious security concern.' He highlighted that groups like Hamas have a history of targeting Westerners.
'With the festive season approaching the risk of attacks or hostage situations is rising,' Professor Glees warned. He also pointed to Turkey's 'notoriously porous' border controls as a factor that adds a layer of danger for tourists and local authorities alike.
This case is part of a wider pattern. The Daily Mail can reveal that 15 Hamas and Palestinian extremists, all previously serving life sentences but released as part of the same deal, are now residing in Turkey.
Official Inaction and Growing Fears
A former Israeli intelligence official accused Turkey of turning a blind eye, stating that these groups enjoy 'near-total freedom to operate, train in Syria, and move into Europe through open borders.'
In a disturbing interview with Al Jazeera in July, Arafah himself stated that 'God willing' the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, underscoring his continued extremist ideology.
Despite the clear and present danger, the Turkish government failed to respond to questions regarding what measures are in place to protect the millions of British visitors to its shores. This lack of action leaves a critical security vacuum, placing UK citizens at potential risk.
