Turkish Tourists' Jerusalem Claims Spark Outrage, Call for Visa Ban

An incident at the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem on Sunday, September 6, saw two Turkish tourists shout "This is my home. Welcome" at a local resident who approached them. The brief encounter occurred amidst escalating Turkish efforts to increase its influence in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the Palestinian arena.

This follows recent reports in July detailing a 769-page book published by the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate. Titled "Our Palestinian Question," the book portrays Israel as a state committing genocide and war crimes, labels Zionism as the root of the conflict, and includes statements from Hamas officials.

A study by the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy (JCAP) indicates Turkey's strategy focuses on diplomatic, legal, and informational activities rather than direct military confrontation. This includes pursuing legal action against Israel in international courts, exerting political and informational pressure, and increasing Turkey's involvement in Palestinian affairs.

The competition for influence extends to the future of Gaza, with Turkey aiming to be a significant player in its post-war arrangement, a prospect Israel opposes, particularly regarding Turkish soldiers in potential international forces. The Jaffa Gate incident is seen by some as a more direct manifestation of this broader geopolitical struggle.

Former Ambassador Ran Ishai, head of research at JCAP, stated that Turkish tourists often exhibit a "false sense of ownership" in Jerusalem, inspired by President Erdoğan's actions. He recommended denying visas to Turkish tourists until relations improve, citing Turkey's arrest warrants against Israeli officials and its support for cases against Israel at the International Criminal Court.

Chaim Silverstein, chairman of JCAP, added that "Islamist tourists from Turkey pose a danger and are hostile towards Israelis" and called for their immediate departure from Israel.