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Attacker shot in failed attempt to storm Israel’s Embassy in Turkey
A man armed with a knife attacked security guards outside Israel’s Embassy in Turkey’s capital Ankara yesterday, but was shot in the leg before being able to enter the building.
The Turkish daily Hurriyet reports that the man, later identified as 38-year-old Osman Nuri Caliskan, approached the Embassy shouting anti-Israel slogans and brandishing a knife. Local Turkish security at the Israeli mission shot Caliskan in the foot, incapacitating him before he was able to gain access to the Embassy. Turkish officials have said that he had no apparent links to terror groups and appeared to suffer from mental health issues.
In a statement, Israel’s Embassy in Ankara said: “A single person tried to stab a Turkish police officer. One of the Turkish police officers situated in front of the embassy responded immediately and shot the attacker in the foot in order to neutralise him.”
The statement added: “The embassy would like to take the opportunity to thank the Turkish police for its professional performance.”
Last month, Israel and Turkey signed a reconciliation agreement, which restores full diplomatic relations following a six-year hiatus. In 2010, the previously warm relationship between the two countries deteriorated and diplomatic relations were ceded after the deaths of ten Turkish citizens who were killed on the Gaza-bound protest ship, the Mavi Marmara, while attempting to prevent Israeli commandos from boarding the vessel.
Under the agreement, Israel will pay Turkey around £15m in compensation, while any legal case against Israeli individuals involved in the Mavi Marmara incident will be dropped by Turkey. The deal also allows Turkish aid to reach Gaza via Israel’s Ashdod port and for Turkey to help build a hospital, power plant and desalination plant in Gaza. In return, Turkey has agreed that terror groups such as Hamas will not be able to use the country as a base.
Neither country has yet appointed an ambassador. Israel’s Chargé d’Affaires Amira Oron was not at the Embassy as yesterday’s incident unfolded.