Espreso. Global

Turkey withdraws ambassador from Israel, Tel Aviv responds

5 November, 2023 Sunday
11:41

On November 4th, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's refusal to support a ceasefire. The Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry described this as another move by the Turkish president, who they believe supports Hamas

client/title.list_title

Politico reported the information.

Turkey joins Bahrain and Jordan, who also previously recalled their ambassadors in protest of Israel's airstrikes on Gaza.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement, highlighting the ongoing “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza due to Israeli attacks on civilians and Israel's refusal to halt hostilities and allow humanitarian aid to flow freely. As a result, Turkey decided to bring its ambassador, Şakir Özkan Torunlar, back to Ankara for consultations.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan expressed his frustration, stating, “[Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to. We have written him off.”

This move represents Turkey's latest effort to distance itself from Israel, but it doesn't necessarily signal a complete rupture in diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

“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.”

The outlet also noted that Israel's ambassador to Ankara, Irit Lillian, left Turkey in October, following a warning from Israel's National Security Council against travel to Turkey due to concerns that Israelis could be targeted by protesters.

Israel's response

Following Turkey's decision to recall its ambassador to Israel, Lior Haiat, the spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed criticism on Twitter.

Haiat stated, "The Turkish government's decision to recall its ambassador while the State of Israel is in the midst of a war of self-defense imposed on it by a terrorist organization worse than ISIS, is another step by the Turkish president that sides with the Hamas terrorist organization."

Haiat pointed out that Hamas has been responsible for the brutal killing of over 1,400 Israelis and the abduction of 240, including infants, children, women, and the elderly. Additionally, he noted that Hamas uses the people of Gaza as human shields, preventing them from seeking safety and depriving them of essential resources, including fuel, food, and clean water.

"Hamas commits war crimes and crimes against humanity, and is the real enemy of the Palestinian people," emphasized Haiat.

  • Furthermore, President Recep Erdogan had previously stated that Turkey would no longer engage in communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was actively pursuing a statement to the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning alleged war crimes by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Wednesday
12 February
21:10
Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania: Trump himself will decide to stand by Ukraine
21:00
Zelenskyy and Trump hold talks
20:50
Russia blocks IAEA experts' rotation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant – Ukraine's MFA
20:40
Zelenskyy: Work on Trump’s plan to end Ukraine war likely to start in February
20:26
Ukraine wins 16 medals at 2025 Invictus Games
20:11
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
Russia is forced to retreat in some areas of Pokrovsk sector
19:51
UK pledges £150 million in military aid to Ukraine
19:36
“I prayed for Trump's protection at rally before assassination attempt” — Jason Sharron, Ukrainian priest in Pennsylvania
19:25
NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic, says U.S. Defense Secretary Hagseth
19:10
Exclusive
Russia training surviving North Korean soldiers to reinforce troops in Kursk region
18:49
NATO must ensure negotiation results that Putin can’t overturn in six months or year – Rutte
18:11
600,000 Ukrainian children trapped in occupied territories: over 40,000 still enrolled in Ukrainian schools
18:00
Interview
Ukrainian Catholic Church priest in Pennsylvania on beauty of Ukrainian traditions and why Trump can be helpful for Ukraine
17:50
Supporting Ukraine is top foreign policy priority — Sweden’s top diplomat
17:32
'Putin will lose if he attacks NATO': Rutte on Russian threat in Europe
17:15
Exclusive
"Much hinges on Kellogg's meeting with Zelenskyy's team" regarding Trump's peace plan — Ukrainian MP
16:51
NATO Secretary General Rutte announces new military aid for Ukraine
16:37
White House power struggle: Trump ally Vitkoff’s Moscow move sparks clash over Ukraine policy
16:15
China assists Russian drone production with smuggled Western parts — Estonian intel
15:53
Zelenskyy says assassination attempts on him led to deaths in President's Office
15:42
Exclusive
European allies to announce new military aid after Ramstein meeting — Espreso correspondent
15:30
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, February 5-12
February 5-12 live war map: Ukrainian counterattacks yield results 
15:14
Soldier stabbed at Kharkiv recruitment center as Ukraine faces surge in attacks on military personnel
14:55
Updated
Ramstein meeting kicks off in Brussels: Key issues on the agenda
14:54
Russian soldiers seen attempting assault on Ukraine positions on crutches: video
14:32
Ukraine's Security Service uncovers FSB mole within its top ranks
14:15
Leaked video exposes Russian PSYOP: commander admits bombing civilians in Sudzha
13:55
Exclusive
Russia struggles with innovation, lacks time in weapons development — military expert
13:39
Exclusive
Lithium extraction in Ukraine with U.S. partnership may take 5–10 years, expert says
13:14
Wizz Air ready to resume flights with Ukraine within six weeks after ceasefire
12:54
Review
Trump, Zelenskyy, and rare earth resources: what Kyiv offers Washington
12:37
Affiliate Material
Lost husband at Azovstal, son couldn’t recognize her after captivity: Story of Alina Meleshko-Haburych from Azov regiment
12:17
Ukrainian hackers hit main contractor of Russian Gazprom – media
11:45
Review
Ukrainian forces counterattack, pushing Russian troops back in Pokrovsk direction. Serhiy Zgurets' column
11:14
OPINION
Putin mocks Trump’s peace efforts
10:50
Russia shifts significant forces toward Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia
10:32
Exclusive
China's Xi to visit Moscow on May 9 in coordinated move against U.S. – Ukrainian diplomat
10:15
Ukraine, Russia hold low-level, non-political talks — Ukrainian ex-minister
09:57
Russian missile attack on Ukraine kills one, sparks fires across multiple regions
09:36
Russia loses 1,150 soldiers and over 200 units of equipment in day of war in Ukraine
More news