Minister demands shutdown of Turkey missions in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
The minister says at Sunday’s cabinet meeting that Ankara’s conduct is “enemy state” behavior and cites Erdoğan’s support for Hamas.
Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli called on the prime minister on Sunday to immediately shut Turkey’s consulates in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and to outlaw the Turkish aid agency TIKA, citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support for Hamas.
Chikli made the remarks during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem and published them on X, asserting that Ankara is advancing “hostile political subversion” under a cultural guise. The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately comment.
Chikli wrote that “Israel must expel all of Erdogan’s representatives from its sovereign territory and from its eternal capital, Jerusalem,” adding that “no self-respecting nation would tolerate this conduct.” He also expressed hope that “friendship between our nations can be restored” if the Turks “remove their dictator.”
Calls target Turkish missions and activities
The minister framed Erdoğan’s rhetoric and actions as those of an “enemy state,” pointing to Ankara’s open backing of Hamas and jihadist groups and repeated calls for Israel’s destruction. Chikli has previously accused Erdoğan of incitement against Israel.
Israel–Turkey relations have been at a low point since the Gaza war, with Ankara announcing it was severing ties and both sides downgrading diplomatic engagement earlier this year. Periodic signals of re-engagement have surfaced alongside harsh rhetoric from Ankara.
Chikli called for a ban on the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, alleging it advances political aims under the guise of cultural programming. Analysts and commentators have warned in recent years that Turkish government-linked bodies, including TIKA, have expanded activity in Jerusalem in ways Israel views as undermining sovereignty.
Chikli concluded his statement with a direct appeal to act against Ankara’s emissaries in Israel. “No self-respec”No self-respecting nation would tolerate this conduct,” he wrote.
