A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is pressing the Biden administration for a classified briefing on Turkey ’s alleged support for Hamas, citing mounting concerns about regional stability and U.S. national security.
In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, set to be delivered Thursday, the lawmakers aim to shed light on Turkey’s relationship with the U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Leading the effort are Reps. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), among others. Their action follows advocacy by the American Hellenic Institute, which has called for heightened scrutiny of Turkey’s alleged involvement with terrorist groups.
The letter comes in response to reports that senior Hamas leaders have relocated from Qatar to Turkey, with plans to establish a new headquarters there. This alleged relocation has amplified long-standing concerns about Turkey’s support for Hamas, a charge that has drawn criticism from lawmakers and advocacy organizations alike.
The lawmakers argue that a classified briefing is essential to understanding the implications of Turkey’s alleged ties to Hamas, particularly as they relate to regional stability and U.S. interests. Their call reflects a growing bipartisan consensus on the need for transparency and accountability regarding Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mounting Congressional Concerns
Turkey’s alleged support for Hamas has been a recurring topic in Congress. After the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, 47 lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary Blinken, calling for action against Turkey’s relationship with Hamas. Earlier in 2024, another letter and a resolution condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s pro-Hamas rhetoric.
The lawmakers’ latest request highlights growing concerns about Hamas’s potential operations in the occupied area of Northern Cyprus, a region under Turkish military control since 1974. Officials fear that the area could be used for terrorist activities, with Israel’s Mossad warning of its potential as a hub for operations against Israeli and Jewish targets.
Cyprus is strategically significant as an evacuation point for U.S. citizens and a key location for military operations involving the U.K., France, the United States, and other NATO allies.
Broader Implications for U.S. and Allied Security
The concerns extend beyond Hamas’s presence in Turkey. Advocacy groups such as the American Hellenic Institute have emphasized the risks posed by Hezbollah, another Iran-backed organization, which has previously threatened Cyprus.
The lawmakers’ letter will seek clarity on the extent of Turkey’s support for such groups and its implications for regional stability.
American, Israeli, and Greek officials have underscored the strategic importance of Cyprus, which hosts two British military bases and recently welcomed troops from the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Advocacy groups like AJC and JINSA have expressed support for the lawmakers’ initiative, emphasizing the importance of holding Turkey accountable.
Think tanks such as the American Enterprise Institute and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies have also weighed in on Turkey’s ties to Hamas, lending urgency to the lawmakers’ demands.
By requesting a classified briefing, the members of Congress aim to clarify the extent of Turkey’s support for Hamas and its broader implications for U.S. interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
