Israeli-Turkish Blogger Attacked in Istanbul Mall After Speaking Hebrew

An Israeli-Turkish dual citizen blogger, Klodia Medina, was surrounded and verbally assaulted by a group of Islamists in Istanbul's Istinyepark shopping mall on October 19. The attackers, reportedly 20-25 individuals associated with the Freedom Watch Platform, targeted Medina after hearing her speak Hebrew. They shouted accusations, including "Child murderers, we don't want Zionists in our country," and blocked her path. Police and medics were called to the scene, and security escorted Medina from the building amidst threats. The incident escalated from a verbal altercation, with bystanders joining in. The attack followed a social media campaign against Medina, which accused her of "secretly bringing IDF soldiers to Turkey" for medical treatment, tourism, and shopping, and alleged she provided services without a license and engaged in smuggling. The campaign also claimed her children served in the IDF and called for Turkish authorities to investigate her activities. The group filed a criminal complaint against Medina on October 16. Medina, who frequently posts shopping videos in Hebrew, was reportedly enthusiastic about a Sephora purchase in a video posted before the incident. The Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, blaming Turkey for "rolling out the red carpet for Hamas terrorists" and stating that such hatred is a result of the government providing safe haven to terrorists. The ministry called the situation a disgrace and unacceptable.