Israeli Diaspora Minister Demands Closure of Turkish Missions Amid Rising Tensions

Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has publicly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to shut down Turkey’s embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem, citing what he described as the “hostile rhetoric and actions” of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The move comes amid growing tensions over Erdoğan’s support for Hamas and other jihadist organizations, which Israel views as a direct threat to its security.

Chikli made the call during the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, later reinforcing his statement on social media, describing Erdoğan as “the dictator in Ankara” whose conduct mirrors that of a leader of an enemy state. “No self-respecting nation would tolerate this behavior. Israel must expel all of Erdoğan’s representatives from our sovereign territory and from our eternal capital, Jerusalem,” he wrote.

The minister emphasized that while Israel seeks peaceful relations with neighboring countries, actions that directly undermine its national security cannot be ignored. “I remain hopeful that one day the Turkish people will remove their dictator and that friendship between our nations can be restored,” Chikli added.

This is not the first time Chikli has criticized Erdoğan. In October, he labelled the Turkish president a “sworn enemy of Israel and the West, a jihadist in a suit,” highlighting concerns over Turkey’s increasing influence in Gaza and its potential involvement in international security operations. Israel has consistently rejected Turkey’s proposed participation in multinational efforts to maintain security in Gaza, citing Erdoğan’s alliances with groups hostile to Israel.

Political analysts suggest that Chikli’s call reflects a broader shift in Israeli foreign policy, where security considerations increasingly outweigh diplomatic engagement with states perceived as adversaries. The proposal, if enacted, would mark a significant deterioration in Israel-Turkey relations, which have fluctuated over the past decade due to regional conflicts, humanitarian crises, and disagreements over the status of Jerusalem and Gaza.

Chikli’s statements have sparked reactions both domestically and internationally, with Israeli lawmakers largely supporting a strong stance against Turkey, while foreign diplomats caution against measures that could escalate tensions in the region.

Israel maintains that protecting its citizens and sovereignty remains paramount, and the issue of Turkish diplomatic presence is now central to discussions on how to respond to perceived threats