The Turkish government said on Saturday that its ambassador to Israel has been recalled in protest of the “unfolding humanitarian tragedy” the Jewish state is inflicting on the population of Gaza in its war against Hamas. The withdrawal of Ambassador Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, which came just prior to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Turkey, marks a further deterioration of Israel’s relations with neighboring countries since the October 7 invasion by Hamas.
Turkey is now the third country in the region to withdraw its diplomatic representatives since the war began, joining Jordan and Bahrain in protesting Israel’s airstrikes and escalating ground invasion in the Gaza Strip. In retaliation for the initial Hamas attack that claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis, the Israel Defense Force has launched a major offensive against the Gaza-based terror group. With a civilian population of nearly 2.3 million caught in the crossfire, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports that nearly 10,000 people have been killed since the strikes began.
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refusing to consider a ceasefire, countries including Turkey have begun to distance themselves from the embattled nation. Israel has similarly withdrawn its ambassadors on the advisement of its National Security Council, which predicted protests against Israeli personnel.
“In view of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza caused by the continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal of calls for ceasefire and continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid, it was decided to recall our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, H.E. Mr. Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, to Ankara for consultations,” read a statement from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign affairs.
Press Release Regarding Recalling of Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv, H.E. Mr. Şakir Özkan Torunlar, to Ankara for Consultations https://t.co/POmJwwXVg6 pic.twitter.com/KiRf0XqTfi
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) November 4, 2023
Prior to the announcement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told state media outlets that “Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off.”
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However, Erdogan went on the admit that fully severing diplomatic relations is likely not a viable solution, calling on Netanyahu to resolve the conflict by other means.
“Complete disconnection is not possible, especially in international diplomacy,” Erdogan said. “But Netanyahu bears the main responsibility for the violence. What he needs to do is take a step back and stop it.” Erdogan also confirmed that Turkish representatives would continue negotiating with their contacts in Israel and Gaza simultaneously.
In response to the recalling of Ambassador Torunlar, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Lior Haiat described the move as “another step by the Turkish president that sides with the Hamas terrorist organization.” Hamas, meanwhile, praised the decision and called for more pressure to be placed on the Biden administration to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians.
Turkey’s diplomatic move came just ahead of the arrival of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in the Turkish city of Ankara on Monday. Blinken is currently in the middle of a “whirlwind tour” of Middle Eastern nations as the US fights to de-escalate regional tensions. Over the weekend, he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and a panel of Arab leaders in Jordan—meetings that have been largely unsuccessful in extracting commitments to peace.
Israel and Turkey had agreed to open diplomatic channels only last year after decades of minimal communication.
Last week, Erdogan led a rally in Istanbul during which he appeared to threaten an escalation of hostilities, leading to fears that Turkey may become militarily involved in the conflict.
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