Turkey Expands Influence and Presence in Jerusalem

Turkey is actively strengthening its position and influence in Jerusalem, leveraging its historical ties to the city during the Ottoman Empire's four-century rule. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan frequently highlights this connection, while Ankara backs his rhetoric with concrete actions through state institutions, cultural initiatives, and engagement with local figures.

The Turkish Consulate General in Jerusalem serves as a key instrument for this presence, openly voicing opinions on regional events and criticizing Israeli actions. Former consulate staff have maintained contact with Hamas officials and representatives of the Palestinian Authority, indicating a multifaceted Turkish policy.

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) plays a significant role in bolstering Ankara's standing by supporting infrastructure and sports projects in the region. Concurrently, Turkey is involved in security cooperation, training thousands of Palestinian security personnel, including officers, in Turkish academies under existing agreements.

Complementing its humanitarian and cultural efforts, the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center is also active. Experts at the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research observe that this sustained activity creates long-term leverage in a strategically vital area. Institute research head Ran Ishai stresses the need for Israel to respond by actively developing its own civilian presence in East Jerusalem to prevent a vacuum, rather than relying solely on diplomatic statements.