Will Israel close the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem?
20-07-2026 15:45 Politics
1in.am A book titled «Our Palestinian Issue» has been published in Ankara under the auspices of the Turkish presidential administration, where Israel is portrayed as a «country of genocide» and Zionism as the «root cause of all global misfortunes.» Ran Ishai, the director of the Center for Applied Policy in Jerusalem and a former diplomat, told «Yedioth Ahronoth» that this is not about «propaganda, but a strategic project aimed at establishing Turkish influence over Palestinian autonomy.»
In his opinion, Israel should respond to Erdoğan's «program by suspending the activities of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem as a first step, as the consulate is a locomotive of influence that spreads Turkish animosity against Israel in the region, denying its sovereignty and seeking to establish Turkey's sultanate status over Jerusalem.»
The head of the Applied Policy Center has suggested to the Israeli government that until the suspension of the Turkish consulate's activities in Jerusalem, «all diplomats who believe they are working not in Israel but in the Palestinian autonomy should be stripped of their immunity.» According to Ran Ishai, «their work visas should be revoked, their movement in Israel should be restricted, the immunity of diplomatic vehicles should be removed, tax exemptions should be halted, and designated parking spaces for them should be canceled.»
The Israeli former diplomat believes that Turkey aims to «integrate HAMAS into the Palestinian autonomy system, legalize the presence of this terrorist organization in Jerusalem, and create radical Islamic organizations and unions under the consulate.» Ultimately, Ran Ishai drew the Israeli government's attention to «the fact that the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem effectively operates as an embassy in the Palestinian autonomy.»
The latest open manifestation of Turkish-Israeli tension coincided with the visit of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa to Baku, where he was received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. According to official information, Aliyev reaffirmed Azerbaijan's position that «Palestine should be an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.»
The Israeli side merely stated regarding Mustafa's visit to Baku and Aliyev's statement that Azerbaijan's «view is not new.» Azerbaijan has a diplomatic representation in Ramallah, while Palestine has an embassy in Baku. If the Israeli government decides to close the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem or impose restrictions on Turkish diplomats, problems will also arise in Israeli-Azerbaijani relations. But will the Israeli government be guided by the advice of the Center for Applied Policy?
* This text was automatically translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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