It’s Hard to Understand Who Was Ordered to Return: Israel’s Statements from Turkey

Israeli diplomats, including Ambassador Irit Lillian in Ankara, left Turkey 10 days ago. This was reported by a source from the Turkish Foreign Ministry in response to Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s statement that Tel Aviv is urgently recalling its diplomats following harsh remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against Israel.

“There are no Israeli diplomats currently in Turkey; they have already left our country. In a note sent to our ministry on October 18, it was stated that they would be leaving Turkey on October 19 for security reasons. It is hard to understand who Cohen ordered to return,” the source added.

During a speech at a mass rally supporting Palestine in Istanbul on Saturday, Turkish President Erdoğan stated that Ankara will label Israel a war criminal for its actions in Gaza. On the same day, the Israeli foreign minister announced that his country is immediately recalling its diplomats from Turkey to reassess bilateral relations.