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 Jerusalem, on 18 August 2022 (Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP) Off Israel has appointed a new head of mission to Turkey this week, despite its embassy in Ankara remaining effectively closed over security concerns, an Israeli official told Middle East Eye. The Israeli foreign ministry selected Joel Lion as charge d’affaires. Lion served as Israel’s first resident ambassador to Moldova until April 2025 and as its non-resident ambassador to Armenia until August 2026.