Ankara denies financing Hamas

The Turkish Foreign Ministry denied reports published by Palestinian media about Turkey’s issuing of $300 million to support the government of Hamas in the Gaza Strip every year. The statement was followed by denial of opening of an office of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Turkey.

Bulent Arinc, press secretary of the Turkish government, said that there had been no plans for Hamas leader Khaled Mashal’s residence in Turkey. The official added that Turkey is interested in renewal of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The hoax was probably provoked by a recent visit of Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh to Ankara and his request for financial aid from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Turkish PM promised to consider the request and inform Hamas about his decision.

Israel expressed concern over the issue, as Vestnik Kavkaza reported earlier. Israel warned about more escalation in relations with Turkey. Denial of the information demonstrates that neither Turkey, nor Israel are interested in breaking relations.

Peter Lyukimson, Israel, exclusively for VK