A Hamas terrorist who murdered a British woman is among more than a dozen dangerous extremists living freely in Turkey after being released from Israeli jails.
Security experts have warned of ‘a serious concern’ for the four million British tourists who visit each year.
Ishaq Taher Salah Arafah, 39, murdered Scottish-born Bible translator Mary Jane Gardner, 59, in a 2011 bomb attack in Israel.
The Daily Mail can reveal he is now at large in Istanbul. Social media posts show him meeting his family in a hotel and walking the streets as well as conducting interviews with friendly media.
In July he told Al Jazeera that ‘God willing’ the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed.
Last month the Daily Mail told how 154 convicted terrorists serving life were being put up in a five-star hotel in Cairo, Egypt.
Israel was forced to release them in exchange for hostages held by Hamas and allied Palestinian groups in the first stage of Donald Trump’s peace deal.
Today we can reveal that 15 Hamas and Palestinian extremists previously serving life but who were released as part of the previous January’s ceasefire deal are now living in Turkey.
Ishaq Taher Salah Arafah, 39, told Al Jazeera that ‘God willing’ the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed
Arafah, 39, murdered Scottish-born Bible translator Mary Jane Gardner, 59, (pictured) in a 2011 bomb attack in Israel
The damage inside of the bus after the explosion near a bus stop in March 2011
They include Arafah, who plotted and carried out the bombing that killed Ms Gardner.
The device was planted near a bus station in Jerusalem in a plastic bag.
Arafah was jailed for life but walked free in January this year after just 14 years behind bars.
Professor Anthony Glees, a leading security expert, said British holidaymakers could be unwittingly mingling with extremists.
‘This isn’t just a political issue, it’s a serious security concern,’ he said. ‘Groups like Hamas have a track record of targeting Westerners, and with the festive season approaching the risk of attacks or hostage situations is rising.
‘Turkey’s border controls have long been notoriously porous and that adds a layer of danger for tourists and local authorities.’
Security officials accused Turkey of turning a blind eye to the danger posed by Palestinian terrorists.
A former Israeli intelligence official said: ‘These groups enjoy near-total freedom to operate, train in Syria, and move into Europe through open borders.’
The Turkish government failed to respond to questions on what measures are in place to protect British tourists.
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