Chikli urges closure of Turkish Consulate in Jerusalem over alleged Hamas ties

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has urged the immediate closure of the Turkish Consulate in Jerusalem, citing a new strategic study that alleges Ankara is engaged in a sustained campaign to expand its influence in the city.

The report, published by the Jerusalem Center for Applied Policy (JCAP) and titled "Turkey's Phased Plan to Conquer Jerusalem: Neo-Ottoman Ambitions and the Muslim Brotherhood Doctrine," posits that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan views Jerusalem as a key strategic objective in his broader regional vision.

According to the study, Turkey is simultaneously advancing its interests through various means, including cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, academic scholarships, and economic assistance in Jerusalem. The report also claims Ankara is strengthening its position in Gaza, northern Syria, and Lebanon as part of a unified regional strategy.

A significant focus of the report is Turkey's alleged relationship with Hamas. The authors claim Ankara provides the organization with political and semi-official operating space, permits senior Hamas officials to work from Turkish territory, and maintains coordination between Hamas leaders and Turkey's National Intelligence Organization. The study further alleges that Turkey aims to bolster Hamas's influence in Jerusalem and the West Bank via a network of local organizations.

The report suggests Turkey's long-term strategy anticipates a reconciliation between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, potentially leading to a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Such a development, the authors argue, could position Turkey to become a patron of the city and its holy sites, granting it diplomatic and military influence.

The study also examines Turkey's military activities in the region, noting its significant presence in northern Syria and its efforts to expand its role in Lebanon. In Gaza, the report identifies continued Turkish attempts to deepen ties with Hamas and broaden its regional reach. The Turkish Consulate in Jerusalem is described by researchers as a central hub for advancing Turkish interests.