Turkey denies reports of offers to return ambassadors with 'Israel'
3 Min Read
The administration released a statement explaining that the Israeli media claim of Turkish officials citing they "want to improve relations with Israel is untrue."
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following their meeting at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, March 8, 2024.(AP)
The Turkish president's office on Tuesday announced that media allegations of Turkey purportedly asking "Israel" to return ambassadors after they were recalled late last year are false.
The administration released a statement explaining that the Israeli media claim of Turkish officials citing they "want to improve relations with Israel is untrue."
The statement detailed that Turkey made no such proposals.
In November, Turkey called back its ambassador to "Tel Aviv" for consultations, the Foreign Ministry announced at the time.
The foreign ministry announced that due to the "humanitarian tragedy in Gaza" caused by "continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal of calls for a cease-fire and continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid," Turkish ambassador in "Tel Aviv" Sakir Ozkan Torunlar has been summoned to Ankara for "consultations."
Read more: Turkish-Israeli relations strained but reparable: Turkey diplomat
Turkey rejects allegations of military cooperation with 'Israel'
Last week, Turkey refuted charges of any military activities with "Israel" on Tuesday, claiming that such cooperation would be detrimental to Palestinians.
Turkey's National Defense Ministry stated that Turkey has "always supported Palestine," making it impossible to "carry out or engage in any activity" that would harm them.
"The National Defense Ministry does not have any activities with Israel, including military training, exercises, and defense industry cooperation.”
It further stated that "Israel's" continuous aggression on the Gaza Strip, which targets hospitals, schools, places of worship, refugee camps, and people, continues "without discrimination".
Last month, Antalya Mayor Muhittin Bocek announced the unilateral termination of the sister city protocol between Antalya and "Bat Yam", citing Israeli brutality in the Gaza Strip as the reason for the decision.
Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has previously strongly criticized relations with Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, calling him a "full-on Nazi."
In January, Turkey intensified its anti-Israeli stance by implementing direct economic measures against the occupation, including the removal of "Israel" from Turkey's list of export destinations.
While Erdogan had previously focused on diplomatic channels to express his disapproval of the Israeli occupation, this latest development signals a shift toward tangible economic consequences.
Erdogan last year compared the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the attacks on Gaza and the deeds of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
