Israel names new envoy to Turkey amid tensions over Gaza and Syria
Israel names new envoy to Turkey amid tensions over Gaza and Syria Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Wed, 09/09/2026 - 18:16 Joel Lion presented his credentials in Ankara as Israel’s embassy remains effectively closed over security concerns The flags of Turkey and Israel and the Israeli Army Armoured Corps, left to right, fly at the Yad La-Shiryon Tank Museum in Latrun, about 30 kilometres west of…
Israel has appointed a new head of mission to Turkey, Joel Lion, as charge d’affaires, despite its embassy in Ankara remaining effectively closed due to security concerns, an Israeli official told Middle East Eye. Lion, who previously served as Israel’s first resident ambassador to Moldova and non-resident ambassador to Armenia, presented his credentials to the Turkish foreign ministry on Wednesday.
The Israeli official emphasized that the embassy's status was solely a security matter, not a political one, and both parties agreed to keep the embassy closed over security issues. Tensions between Israel and Turkey have been escalating since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, with Ankara condemning Israel's military actions, describing the war on Gaza as genocide and imposing trade sanctions in 2024.
Israel's strikes on a Syrian military air base last month further heightened the disputes. The Israeli official noted that the upcoming Turkish general elections could potentially bring about broader shifts in Israeli policy towards the region, as Netanyahu's government might form a different coalition.
Written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
