Israel recalls some of its diplomats from Turkey

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen recalled some of the diplomats representing the country in Turkey on Saturday over “serious claims” made by the country’s authorities.

By TVP World,
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen recalled some of the diplomats representing the country in Turkey on Saturday over “serious claims” made by the Turkish authorities.

Given the grave statements coming from Turkey, I have ordered the return of diplomatic representatives there in order to conduct a reevaluation of the relations between Israel and Turkey.

— אלי כהן | Eli Cohen (@elicoh1) October 28, 2023

Earlier on Saturday, during a rally in support of the Palestinians in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of war crimes, calling the country an occupying power. The Turkish leader also pointed out that “Israel’s relentless, intensified bombardment targeting Gaza is once again targeting women, children and innocent civilians.” He called on the authorities in Tel Aviv to “free themselves from this state of madness.”

Turkish authorities offered mediation following the outbreak of fighting in Israel and Gaza to bring about a cessation of hostilities. “A lasting peace in the Middle East is only possible through a final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” Erdoğan noted on October 8th.

The October 7 strike by Hamas – which is not recognized as a terrorist organization in Turkey – from Gaza resulted in the highest number of Israeli deaths since 1973, when the Jewish state fought a war with the Syrian-Egyptian coalition. Some 1,400 Israeli citizens and more than 7,700 Gaza residents have already been killed in the 21-day conflict.