In a show of diplomatic tension, the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv has come under fire from Israeli officials following Turkey’s announcement of a day of mourning for Ismail Haniyeh, the former political leader of Hamas.

The decision by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to lower the flag at the embassy to half-mast has sparked a strong response from Israel, leading to accusations of support for terrorism.

The controversy erupted after Erdogan’s declaration of mourning for Haniyeh, who was killed earlier this week. The Turkish flag at the embassy in Tel Aviv was lowered on Friday as a mark of respect, a gesture that drew immediate condemnation from Israeli authorities.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz reacted swiftly, ordering a “stern reprimand” for Turkey’s deputy ambassador to Israel.

Katz condemned the gesture on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), asserting that Israel would not tolerate any expressions of sympathy for Haniyeh. Katz accused Haniyeh of leading the Hamas terrorist organization, which was responsible for the acts of violence on October 7.

In his statement, Katz criticized Turkey’s actions, saying, “[Turkey] even offered a prayer of thanksgiving with his friends and wished success to the murderers against the background of the horrific images he watched from the television background.”

He further suggested that if the embassy representatives wished to mourn, they should return to Turkey to do so alongside President Erdogan, who Katz accused of embracing Hamas and supporting its violent activities.

The criticism was echoed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who also took to social media to denounce the embassy’s actions. Ben-Gvir’s post on X demanded that the embassy representatives remove the flag entirely and return to Turkey, calling the gesture “shameful.”

MK Avigdor Lieberman joined the chorus of disapproval, labeling the lowered flag as “one big disgrace.”

Lieberman argued that Turkey’s support for terrorist organizations and recent threats against Israel were incompatible with maintaining an embassy in Tel Aviv. He suggested that the embassy’s presence in Israel’s heartland was unacceptable given Turkey’s stance.

The response from Israeli officials underscores the growing diplomatic rift between Israel and Turkey. Tensions between the two nations have been exacerbated by recent events, including Erdogan’s inflammatory rhetoric.

Just days before the flag-lowering incident, Erdogan had issued a provocative statement threatening Israel, drawing parallels between potential military actions and Turkey’s previous interventions in regions like Karabakh and Libya.

The diplomatic fallout from the flag-lowering extends beyond Israel, as Turkish embassies worldwide have also lowered their flags to half-mast in honor of Haniyeh.

This move reflects Turkey’s broader stance on the former Hamas leader and has sparked international discussions about the implications of such gestures in the context of ongoing conflicts and diplomatic relations.

The situation highlights the complex and often contentious nature of international diplomacy, especially in relation to sensitive issues like terrorism and political conflicts.

As Israel and Turkey navigate their strained relations, the response to Haniyeh’s death serves as a reminder of the deep-seated divisions that can impact diplomatic interactions and international perceptions.

The Israeli government’s strong reaction to Turkey’s mourning gesture illustrates the high stakes involved in diplomatic gestures and the broader geopolitical implications of such actions.

As the situation continues to develop, the international community will be watching closely to see how these tensions are addressed and whether further diplomatic measures will be taken by either side.