Attack on Turkish citizen in Jerusalem draws attention to “jihadi tourism” trend | The Jewish Press – JewishPress.com | Baruch Yedid / TPS | Nisan 25, 5784 – Friday, May 3, 2024

Image source: Uri Lenz/FLASH90

It was unusual but hardly surprising that Turkish citizen Hassan Saklanan attempted to stab an Israeli police officer in Jerusalem on Tuesday.

Saklanan was shot dead by forces in the Old City of Jerusalem. According to Turkish media reports, 34-year-old Saklanan was an imam from the southern Turkish city of Sanliurfa and part of an official religious affairs delegation. Turkish reports added that Saklanan did not take part in the delegation trip that day and said he was not feeling well.

Terror attacks by foreigners are not uncommon in Israel, but the stabbing draws attention to efforts to quietly expand Turkish influence in East Jerusalem – particularly in the Old City – over the past decade.

This includes an increase in reports of Turkish involvement in riots on the Temple Mount. It is widely believed that these individuals are supported by the Turkish government and institutions. In East Jerusalem, Arabs refer to this practice as “jihad tourism.”

Turkish associations have carried out significant renovation projects and revitalized numerous houses and mosques in the old town. In addition, Turkish-financed guest accommodations have emerged, offering free accommodation to Turkish visitors.

The streets of the old town are now decorated with Turkish goods, while signs for Turkish aid organizations such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) are prominently displayed. Israeli officials accuse TIKA of undermining Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem. As Israel's press service reported in May 2023, TIKA says it wants to “strengthen Palestinian steadfastness in Jerusalem.”

The agency suspended its activities in the city in 2019 when Israeli officials threatened to revoke the diplomatic status of the heads of TIKA's Jerusalem office. Then-Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused TIKA of supporting the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and attempting to change the status quo on the Temple Mount.

But when Israel and Turkey restored full diplomatic relations in January 2023, TIKA returned to Jerusalem.

Other Turkish institutions include the Turkish Heritage Association, also known as Miratna, which is committed to actively preventing the “Judaization of Jerusalem” by Israel. Miratna provides food packages and financial assistance to needy families, renovates homes, offers educational programs, and advocates for the preservation of Islamic heritage sites.

Another organization is Kutad, a Hamas-run charity based in Istanbul, which has raised concerns about possible links between Turkish interests and other extremist groups. Kutad's self-described role is to “protect the Islamic historical heritage in Jerusalem and be a cultural bridge between Turkey, Palestine and Jerusalem.” Hamas does not normally refer to the Ottoman Empire in its Jerusalem rhetoric, but such references sit well with the terrorist group's Turkish hosts.

Kutad also finances construction projects in East Jerusalem, especially houses and mosques. According to Kutad, by building houses in East Jerusalem, Muslims are creating what is called ribat in Arabic, which literally means “battle line” but refers to a specific claim to the land.

Israel's press service also reported that both Miratna and Kutad supported Ramadan violence by paying people to stay on the Temple Mount to maintain a 24-hour Muslim presence at the holy site.

It is not known whether Saklanan had contact with any of these Turkish groups before his attack.