At a time when relations between the 2 international locations are at an unprecedented low, the Turkish embassy in Israel is transferring residence, from the well-known constructing recognized with it at 202 Hayarkon Avenue in Tel Aviv, to Mapu Avenue within the metropolis, “”Globes” has realized. The prevailing embassy constructing will likely be changed by a lodge, on the finish of a course of that has lasted greater than twenty years.
Turkey was the primary Muslim nation to acknowledge the State of Israel, and despatched an envoy right here in 1950. Its 800 square-meter embassy constructing is located reverse the Hilton Resort. At first, it was leased from a privately-held Israeli firm, however in 2009 the constructing was purchased by an abroad resident for NIS 27 million. Even on the time of the sale, the City Constructing Plan allowed buildings on the street for use for residential functions or as accommodations, and a lodge was at all times the possible consequence.
In 2012, the Tel Aviv District Planning and Constructing Committee authorized for deposit a plan for turning the Turkish Embassy constructing right into a lodge.
Focus of pressure
The prevailing Turkish Embassy constructing grew to become a supply of pressure between Israel and Turkey throughout the Swords of Iron struggle. Following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, in Teheran on July 31 final yr, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a day of mourning. Two days later, the Turkish Embassy lowered its flag to half mast, a transfer that was extremely seen to Israelis, each as a result of it was made on a Friday, when the Tel Aviv promenade is crowded with individuals, and due to the outstanding location of the embassy. Later, a drone trailing an Israeli flag hovered over the embassy constructing, angering the Turks.
The embassy has additionally been a supply of stability in relations between Israel and Turkey. Business relations between the 2 international locations weren’t broken in earlier crises, such because the Marmara flotilla in 2010, and the expulsion of Israeli ambassador Eitan Na’eh from Ankara in 2018, following the deaths of Palestinians by the hands of the IDF in riots on the Gaza Strip border. In 2021, the final yr earlier than the Abraham Accords started to make an influence, Turkey was by far Israel’s largest buying and selling associate within the Center East. Imports from Turkey totaled $4.76 billion, and exports to the nation totaled $1.91 billion. This was greater than all commerce with the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Bahrain mixed. In 2024, Turkey banned all exports of products to Israel ports, in protest in opposition to the struggle within the Gaza Strip, however Israeli importers discovered methods of circumventing the ban. Extra just lately, tensions have arisen over conflicting pursuits of the 2 international locations in Syria, following the autumn of President Assad’s regime.
Transfer might be a constructive signal
At the start of this month, Turkish ambassador to Israel Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, who was recalled to Ankara in 2023, retired, and on the similar time a brand new cost d’affaires has arrived in Tel Aviv.
RELATED ARTICLES
Turkey has a consulate in Jerusalem. The consul normal there’s designated as “the ambassador to Palestine.” The present consul normal, Ismail Cobanoglu, is liable for Turkish affairs in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the Gaza Strip.
The transfer by the Turkish Embassy might be a constructive signal. If Ankara have been considering of breaking off relations with Israel in help of Hamas, it’s unlikely that it could be investing within the transfer, after a long time on Hayarkon Avenue. And because the chance of a ceasefire within the Gaza Strip grows, the Palestinian concern is politically essential to Erdogan, and in that respect he wants relations with Israel. It could be that Mapu Avenue would be the scene of extra constructive diplomacy between the 2 international locations.
Printed by Globes, Israel enterprise information – en.globes.co.il – on Could 28, 2025.
© Copyright of Globes Writer Itonut (1983) Ltd., 2025.
