Media: Israel weighs closing consulate in Istanbul

Israel is considering closing its consulate in Istanbul amid deteriorating relations with Türkiye, while potentially maintaining only its embassy in Ankara, according to a report by Israeli media outlet Ynet.

The report states that both the consulate in Istanbul and the embassy in Ankara have not been operating under normal conditions since October 7, 2023. Israeli diplomats are currently based in Bulgaria, while local staff continue their work remotely.

Within Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is no unified position on the issue. Some officials say that keeping the consulate open is impractical given the absence of full operations. Others caution that closing it could complicate efforts to restore diplomatic infrastructure in the future.

The potential decision is also seen as having implications for relations with Istanbul’s Jewish community, which is estimated at around 15,000 people. Sources indicate that shutting down the consulate could be interpreted as a negative signal and may contribute to additional tensions.

By Tamilla Hasanova