Levent Kenez/Stockholm
In the aftermath of Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7, triggering Israel’s intensified offensive in Gaza, Turkey is witnessing sustained protests against Israel and the United States, organized by government-backed radical groups. The surge in antisemitic rhetoric, exacerbated by a Tuesday airstrike on a Gaza hospital, is increasingly permeating the media landscape. Notably, pro-government media outlets have adopted a more strident tone towards Israel, even accusing opposition journalists of being Israeli agents.
Following the incident on Tuesday, with Palestinians and Israelis accusing each other of carrying out a hospital bombing that claimed the lives of hundreds, Turkey has witnessed protests outside the Israeli and US diplomatic missions.
The Sabah daily, which is run by family members of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and is allegedly affiliated with Turkish Intelligence, targeted journalists and social media influencers in an article published on October 17 titled “Israeli agents on duty,” claiming, “In the airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, carried out by Israel, at least 500 innocent civilians were martyred. While the entire world strongly condemns the occupiers, Israel’s agents are attempting to whitewash the massacre step by step.”
Sabah accused journalist Nevşin Mengü, whom it labeled a supporter of the main opposition party, of attempting to exonerate Israel by sharing a misleading video on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The newspaper also criticized Twitch streamer Jahrein for his ‘We stand with Israel’ message regarding Hamas’s attacks, and accused YouTube personality Oğuzhan Uğur of blaming Palestinians and overlooking Israel’s attacks on innocent civilians. Uğur was also targeted for claiming, “Palestinians carried out a suicide attack on Israel, which was established on land their greedy grandfathers sold.” Furthermore, Ibrahim Haskoloğlu, who shared breaking news headlines on his social media accounts, has also become one of the targeted journalists.
Pro-government newspapers are accusing opposition journalists of spreading false news, citing bulletins released by the Disinformation Combat Center, established within the Presidential Communications Directorate in 2022, as their reference. Since October 7, the center has been releasing bulletins, including on social media, stating that news critical of Palestine is inaccurate. However, incorrect reports related to Israel are not included in these bulletins.
Israel has temporarily recalled its diplomatic staff from Turkey due to security concerns stemming from extensive anti-Israel protests and public sentiment in response to Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip.
Among the Israeli diplomats who departed Turkey on Thursday is Ambassador Irit Lilian, according to local sources.
Israel has issued advisories to its citizens in Turkey, urging them to depart “as soon as possible” due to apprehensions regarding potential reprisals.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy announced the temporary closure of its Adana Consulate through a statement on its social media account. The announcement said, “The U.S. Consulate in Adana will remain closed to the public until further notice. U.S. citizens can reschedule their appointments to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.”
Large demonstrations related to events in Israel and Gaza are expected throughout Turkey for the next several weeks. Any gathering, even those intended to be peaceful, could escalate and turn violent. Protest activity may result in enhanced police presence, road closures and traffic disruptions.
US government personnel in Turkey have been instructed to minimize movement and avoid travel to the Consulate Adana consular district in southeast Turkey.
