3 gunmen open fire outside Israeli consulate in Istanbul, dubbed 'terrorists' by Turkish official

Lead

Gunfire erupted near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday, leaving one attacker dead and two police officers injured, according to multiple reports. The assailants, who opened fire with automatic weapons, were killed by Turkish security forces, and the consulate was unstaffed at the time, Israeli and Turkish officials confirmed.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from ABC Australia, Fox News, the Jerusalem Post, and TASS (Russia) all confirm the core details: a shooting outside the consulate building in Istanbul's Levent business district, with two police officers sustaining minor injuries and all three attackers killed. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the consulate was not staffed when the attack occurred, as diplomats had been withdrawn previously due to security concerns and deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkey.

The Jerusalem Post noted that the consulate has been closed for at least two years and is likely unstaffed, a claim echoed by TASS, which reported the consulate remains under police protection. A strong armed police presence is routinely maintained in the area, Reuters reported.

While all sources describe the incident as an attack, there is some variation in detail. ABC Australia and Fox News both quote Turkish officials calling the shooting "terrorism," whereas the Jerusalem Post and TASS refrain from using that term, describing the events more neutrally.

Key Claims

• Two Turkish police officers were injured in the armed attack, according to multiple reports, including ABC Australia and TASS. The injuries were described as minor.
• Three assailants in camouflage opened fire with automatic weapons at the consulate, per TASS, citing Turkish police sources. The attackers were killed by security forces.
• The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the consulate was unstaffed at the time of the shooting, a claim reported by ABC Australia and Fox News. The consulate has been closed for some time, with Reuters and other outlets noting it has been closed for at least two years.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vowed to fight terrorism, saying, "We will continue our fight against all kinds of terrorism, and we will not allow provocations to harm Turkey's climate of security," as reported by ABC Australia.
• U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack condemned the attack and praised Turkish authorities, according to Fox News and ABC Australia. In a post on X, Barrack wrote that "attacks on diplomatic missions are attacks on the international order."
• The attackers had ties to an activist group that "exploits religion," according to Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, as reported by ABC Australia and Fox News. He also noted that two of the attackers were brothers, one with a drug record.
• The Israeli Foreign Ministry praised Turkish security forces for thwarting the attack, stating, "We appreciate the Turkish security forces' swift action in thwarting this attack. Terror will not deter us," as quoted by ABC Australia.

Perspectives

Turkish authorities, including President Erdoğan and Interior Minister Çiftçi, have characterized the incident as a terrorist attack and emphasized the country's determination to combat terrorism. The U.S. ambassador expressed solidarity with Turkey and condemned the assault on diplomatic missions. Israeli officials, while appreciative of Turkey's response, reiterated that terrorism will not deter Israel's diplomatic presence. The Jerusalem Post, while reporting the facts, also noted the context of the consulate's closure and the ongoing tensions between Israel and Turkey over the Gaza conflict. TASS provided factual coverage without commentary, reflecting a straightforward reporting approach.

This is a developing story, and further details may emerge.