Turk arrested for plot to kill rabbis

Friday, June 25, 2010

ISTANBUL – Agence Presse-France

Anti-terror police have arrested a Turkish citizen for allegedly plotting to kill rabbis in Istanbul as Turkish-Israeli relations remain mired in crisis, daily Milliyet reported Friday.

Police arrested İsmet Rençber, a mason in his 20s from the eastern city of Kars, upon his arrival in Istanbul after tracking him for reportedly sending an anonymous threat to the city’s synagogue, the newspaper said.

Rençber, who was arrested at the home of a relative in Istanbul’s suburbs, told investigators that he “hated Jews” but denied intending to kill members of Turkey’s 20,000-strong Jewish community.

Istanbul police declined to comment when contacted by Agence France-Presse about the case.

The suspect has been charged and is being held in an Istanbul prison.

Relations between Turkey and Israel have hit a low point since eight Turks and one American of Turkish descent were killed May 31 when Israeli commandos raided a convoy of ships bringing aid to Gaza despite an Israeli blockade.