Turkish Police warn of possible attacks against synagogues, churches
Tensions are high in Ankara as Islamic State has been held responsible for four of six bombing attacks in Turkey in the past eight months.
By JTAUpdated: MARCH 27, 2016 15:56Jewish community members attend the re-opening ceremony of Great Synagogue in Edirne, western Turkey March 26, 2015.(photo credit: REUTERS)
Police in Turkey have warned of possible attacks by the Islamic State against Christian and Jewish targets over the Easter weekend.The possible targeting of churches and synagogues on Sunday was listed in a nationwide police alert, according to Turkish media reports. Consulates and embassies also were told to stay on high alert.The warning comes a week after a suicide bombing at a main shopping center in Istanbul killed three Israelis and one Iranian national. Turkish media later reported that the bomber targeted an Israeli tour group, with Islamic State taking responsibility for the attack.Another 10 Israelis were wounded, three of them in moderate to critical condition, and the rest suffering from slight injuries.The Islamic State has been blamed for four of six bombing attack in Turkey in the past eight months, the English-language Turkish news service Hurriyet Daily News reported.On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart President Reuven Rivlin that his country is “ready to cooperate with Israel against terrorism.”Turkey is also fighting Kurdish militia in the east of the country, as well as in Syria and Iraq. Kurds have also been blamed for terror attacks, in February 28 people were killed by a car bomb targeting military vehicles that were traveling near the Turkish parliament building in the heart of the Turkish capital Ankara.Herb Keinon and Jpost.com staff also contributed to this report.