Israel Court Charges Turkish Woman Accused of Aiding 'terror' Group

Jerusalem, Jul 9 (AFP) An Israeli military court has charged a Turkish woman accused of passing on hundreds of dollars to a "terrorist" organisation, security sources said.

Ebru Ozkan, 27, was detained at Israel's Ben Gurion airport on June 11 as she was leaving the country to return to her homeland.

Israel's Shin Bet security service said Ozkan was arrested "on suspicion of posing a threat to national security and for having links to a terrorist organisation", passing on hundreds of dollars and phone chargers.

The name of the group the Turkish woman was alleged to have links to was not given, but Israeli media reported the money was destined for the Islamist group Hamas.

The case against Ozkan comes as tensions have spiked between Turkey and Israel after Ankara ordered out the Jewish state's ambassador in May over the killing of protestors along the border with the Gaza Strip.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday said his officials were in contact with the Israelis over Ozkan's case and called for an end to its "pitiless persecutions".

Israeli media in recent weeks has reported that authorities are increasingly concerned Turkey is attempting to increase its influence in the holy city of Jerusalem through charitable organisations working there. (AFP) KIS

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