Turkish embassy relocation hints at continued ties with Israel

The Turkish Embassy in Israel has officially vacated its longtime historic premises on Hayarkon Street, relocating to a new building in central Tel Aviv, according to a report by Israeli business daily Globes.

 The move, coming during a tense period in Israeli-Turkish relations, signals a complex but potentially stabilizing phase in bilateral diplomacy.

Before relations soured following the October 7 Hamas-led attack and the subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza, Turkey was Israel’s largest trading partner in the Middle East. 

In 2023, Israeli imports from Turkey amounted to $4.76 billion, while exports totaled $1.91 billion—surpassing the total volume of trade between Israel and all other regional partners combined, including the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Bahrain.

However, in 2024, Ankara imposed a sweeping export ban on goods headed to Israeli ports as a protest against the war in Gaza. Despite the ban, Israeli importers managed to bypass restrictions through alternative logistical channels.

Beyond trade, tensions have recently flared over diverging interests in Syria, especially after the weakening of the Assad regime. These growing disagreements have added another layer of strain to an already fragile relationship.

Despite these frictions, Turkey continues to maintain a consulate in Jerusalem, where the consul general holds the unique designation of “Ambassador to Palestine.” Ismail Cobanoglu, the current consul general, oversees Turkish affairs not only in Jerusalem but also in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The embassy's relocation could indicate Ankara's continued investment in maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel—rather than preparing for a complete rupture. It is unlikely that Turkey would invest in new embassy infrastructure if it were planning to sever ties entirely.

This comes as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continues to balance domestic and international priorities, particularly around the sensitive Palestinian issue. With growing signs of an impending ceasefire in Gaza, Erdoğan may view maintaining dialogue with Israel as strategically necessary.

Adding to the reshuffle, Turkish Ambassador to Israel Şakir Özkan Torunlar, a seasoned diplomat, retired earlier this month. He had previously been recalled to Ankara in 2023. 

A new chargé d’affaires has just arrived in Tel Aviv, further suggesting that diplomatic channels remain active and open—possibly even paving the way for a more constructive chapter in Turkish-Israeli relations.