Israel has accused Turkey of helping the Hamas movement, following its arrest and deportation of a Turkish citizen, reported AFP.

The Shin Bet intelligence agency said the movement’s “economic and military activity in Turkey takes place unhindered as Turkish officials turn a blind eye and -- on occasion -- encourage it.”

“This activity relies on -- inter alia -- business platforms that serve Hamas in laundering funds that are transferred to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and used in recruiting Israelis to its ranks,” it said.

Shin Bet said Turkish national Cemil Tekeli was arrested on January 1, on suspicion of aiding Hamas, and later deported.

“In Tekeli’s investigation, it was learned that Turkey contributes to the military strengthening of Hamas,” according to Shin Bet.