Israeli Diplomat Arrives in Ankara for First Time Since War's Outbreak

Israeli diplomat Yoel Leon arrived at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara to present his credentials, marking his appointment as Israel's charge d'affaires in Turkey. This visit is the first by a senior Israeli official to the country since the outbreak of the war, although the Israeli embassy has remained closed for security reasons, with its staff evacuated in late 2023. Leon's appointment follows the departure of Ambassador Irit Lillian earlier this year. Leon previously served as Israel's ambassador to Moldova and Armenia.

An Israeli official clarified to "Middle East Eye" that the embassy's status, now maintained solely by local staff, is due to security concerns, not political motives, and that both sides agree on keeping the building closed. The visit occurs against a backdrop of unprecedentedly low relations between the two nations, which worsened after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Turkey has adopted a harsh rhetorical stance, accusing Israel of genocide and imposing commercial sanctions and export boycotts on the Israeli market in 2024. The diplomatic dispute recently extended to Syria, following reports of Israeli strikes against the Abu al-Duhur air base, after Turkey had prepared to deploy air defense systems there.

Ankara hopes that upcoming elections in Israel in October will lead to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defeat, potentially reopening dialogue channels. However, the Israeli official noted that the government might survive through an alternative coalition. The official emphasized that the primary obstacle to restoring relations remains the incitement campaign against Israel in Turkish media.