Hamas denies Israeli claims of official's expulsion from Turkey

Hamas has denied Israel’s claims that the government in Turkey has asked a prominent official of the Palestinian faction to leave the country. The resistance movement pointed out that Shaikh Saleh Al-Arouri still travels between Turkey and Qatar and is performing his political work as usual, reported London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper.

According to Israel’s Channel 1, “Turkey seems to have asked Hamas leader Saleh Al-Arouri to leave the country after his involvement in terrorist acts.” The television station claimed that Al-Arouri is now staying in Doha with the head of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal.

Shaikh Saleh Al-Arouri was released from Israeli custody into exile in Turkey as part of the prisoner exchange which saw Hamas hand over Sergeant Gilad Shalit. The Israelis claim that he has “resumed” his “terrorist activities”, such as the kidnapping and murder of three Jewish settlers in occupied Hebron last year. The government in Tel Aviv has long attacked Turkey for being so welcoming to the Hamas official.

“Shaikh Saleh is carrying out his activities as usual and is travelling between a number of countries, including Turkey, Qatar and Lebanon,” a source close to Al-Arouri told Al-Quds Al-Arabi. “He does not have a permanent place of residence. He moves when needed. There is no truth to Israel’s claims of there being a Turkish order for his expulsion.”

The source added that Israel makes such claims no matter how many times they are denied, so there is no point in denying or confirming what it alleges. “Hamas is not willing to issue statements denying claims made by Israel’s intelligence for security purposes.”

According to the Channel 1 report, Al-Arouri joined Meshaal on his important trip to Saudi Arabia recently where they met with the King Salman. It is assumed that he will remain in Qatar and perform his duties from there. “Shaikh Al-Arouri is in Qatar,” said the source, “but this does not mean that Turkey has expelled him.”

Al-Quds Al-Arabi conducted an interview with Al-Arouri at his residence in Istanbul during which he stressed that he is carrying out his political activities normally. The Hamas official denied categorically that he has been involved in any military activity from the countries to which he travels.