Israeli Intelligence Passes Information to Denmark, Germany on Alleged Terrorist Operations

Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)
Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)
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Israeli Intelligence Passes Information to Denmark, Germany on Alleged Terrorist Operations

Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)
Netanyahu on a field visit to a military base near Jenin, and to his right are the head of intelligence, the minister of defense, and the chief of staff. (Government Press Office)

Israeli intelligence has supplied Germany and Denmark with crucial information indicating that several criminal organizations within their borders are allegedly operating according to an Iranian agenda, said security sources in Tel Aviv.
Sources revealed on Sunday that these organizations are purportedly utilizing members affiliated with Hamas to execute terrorist operations targeting Israeli embassies, mission headquarters, institutions, and synagogues in both countries and across Europe.
European authorities independently uncovered evidence suggesting that these criminal groups have significantly progressed in advancing Iranian plans. The alleged mastermind behind these activities, Hamas official Khalil Kharaz, reportedly made visits and sent correspondences that unveiled a broad spectrum of the alleged plans.
On Saturday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, released a statement on behalf of the Mossad and Shin Bet agencies stating that European countries arrested suspects allegedly involved in plans by Hamas to attack Israeli and Jewish targets abroad in December.
"On December 14, 2023, the security and enforcement authorities in Denmark and Germany announced the extensive arrest of suspects in Europe who have since been subject to legal proceedings."
Gathered intelligence includes "information on the intention to attack the Israeli Embassy in Sweden, the acquisition of UAVs, and the use of elements from criminal organizations in Europe."
The report added that “Hamas works to promote attacks against targets in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe under the command of the organization's senior leadership." Among them, Saleh al-Arouri, Azzam Akre, Khalil Haraz, and Samir Pandi, who were killed last week in the southern suburb of Beirut.
Until their elimination, they were key factors in Hamas' activities worldwide.
Hamas' activity in Europe was led by Khalil Haraz, until his death in Lebanon in November. Kharaz was under the command of Azzam Akre. He was in charge of some of the infrastructure discovered in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany last December.



Erdogan Accuses Top Turkish Business Group of Political Meddling

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
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Erdogan Accuses Top Turkish Business Group of Political Meddling

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 12, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

President Tayyip Erdogan accused Türkiye's top business association, TUSIAD, of meddling in politics and undermining the government on Wednesday, piling pressure on a group already being investigated over an executive's remarks on democracy. Speaking to his ruling AK Party in the parliament, Erdogan said TUSIAD had "overstepped" and he dismissed it as a remnant of the past that had thrived on economic privilege and political influence.

"TUSIAD's mentality is a symbol of weak governments in Türkiye's past (and it is) full of businessmen who have grown under the shadow of unfair profits and privileges at the expense of the nation," he said.

"They once dictated politics through newspaper headlines. We put an end to that. We did not recognize any power above the will of the people," he said, accusing the group of fueling political instability and attempting to pressure the government. TUSIAD executive Omer Aras, who is the chairman of QNB's Turkish banking unit, last week criticized a government crackdown on dissenting figures, saying the probes into opposition leaders and journalists had shaken trust and damaged democracy. In response, a prosecutor's office opened an investigation into his remarks, prompting a drop in Istanbul-listed stocks. On Wednesday, Istanbul's prosecutors' office expanded the probe to include TUSIAD President Orhan Turhan, citing his statements at the group's general assembly as "misleading and disruptive to public order."

A statement on Wednesday from the Istanbul prosecutor's office said Aras and Turhan were under investigation for "attempting to influence a fair trial" and "publicly spreading misleading information," and that authorities had ordered them to appear for questioning. TUSIAD, whose members account for 85% of Türkiye's foreign trade and 80% of the country's corporate tax revenue, said on Tuesday it was working for national interests.

It did not address the investigation into Aras directly and did not immediately comment on Erdogan's remarks.

Erdogan said his government has raised per-capita income, built roads and spread prosperity since coming to power more than two decades ago. "As long as we are in power, no one will bring back the old system where a handful of elites siphoned off state resources," he said.

Opposition lawmakers have faced a wave of arrests, detentions and probes in the last few months that critics say aim to silence dissent and weaken Erdogan's rivals' electoral prospects. The government dismisses this accusation and says the judiciary is independent.