Israeli, Turkish defence chiefs condemn terrorism in Jerusalem, Istanbul

Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz spoke with his Turkish counterpart, Hulisi Akar, by telephone on November 29, according to Gantz’s office.

Gantz expressed his condolences to the Turkish people over “the criminal terror attack in Istanbul” that occurred on November 13, which killed six people and injured dozens more, Jewish News Syndicate reports.

" also expressed my appreciation for his condemnation of the terror attack in Jerusalem last week,” said Gantz, in reference to the November 23 twin bombings in the capital, which killed two Israelis and injured more than 20 people.

Israel’s National Security Bureau said earlier this month that a Level 3 travel alert - an intermediate level - remains in effect for Türkiye, meaning that Israeli citizens should avoid non-vital travel to the country.

Israelis who are in Türkiye have been advised to maintain a heightened state of alert in public places.

On October 27, Gantz met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. During the meeting, Gantz thanked him for actions undertaken by Turkish security forces “for saving the lives of Israelis and Jews from the local community in Turkey. This action against terrorism has great significance for our ability to boost cooperation and official defence ties between the countries”.

Gantz and Erdogan addressed several strategic issues and discussed the joint efforts to boost stability, prosperity and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, according to the Israeli Government Press Office.

In August, Israel and Türkiye announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations following a years-long rift.

The resumption of defence ties comes after Jerusalem and Ankara worked together over the summer to foil Iranian plots to attack Israelis on Turkish soil.