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Israel may need about $6 million to relocate its consulate in Istanbul after the former consulate building failed an earthquake resilience inspection, Middle East Eye reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The building, which has been partially closed since Israel withdrew its diplomatic staff from Türkiye in October 2023 over security concerns, is expected to be demolished and replaced with a new development over the coming years, according to the report.
The issue has left the Israeli government weighing whether to rebuild on the same plot, move the consulate to another building or keep the mission closed amid frozen diplomatic ties with Türkiye.
Some Israeli sources initially told media that the consulate was being closed for the foreseeable future because of rising political tensions between Türkiye and Israel. However, Middle East Eye reported that the issue appears to be more related to technical obstacles.
Although parts of the building belong to Israel, the planned redevelopment has created commercial challenges and extra costs if Israel wants to reopen the consulate on the same site.
The building is a plaza hosting multiple businesses and offices on several floors.
“There are Israeli specifications for the construction of Israeli diplomatic missions, and the construction company most likely cannot accommodate these requirements because they are costly,” one source familiar with the issue told MEE.
The source said Israel would have to convince the construction company and provide the needed budget if it wanted to keep the consulate in the new project.
The report said it is unusual for such a plaza to be demolished for redevelopment, as it could be considered a semi-skyscraper under Turkish standards.
The now-empty consulate building was attacked in April by people affiliated with the Islamic State group, who wounded two police officers.
A source told MEE that while the new property would remain under Israeli government ownership, it was unlikely Israel would keep its consulate in the new building.
Relocating the consulate to another site could also be expensive because of Israel’s extensive security requirements.
These include high-grade armoring, specially designed cabling, camera systems and other protective measures.
Some estimates put the cost at $6 million, prompting debate in Israel over whether it should spend that amount in a country where diplomatic relations are effectively frozen.
“Israel is considering all its options for the time being, and no decision on this matter has been taken,” a second source told MEE.
A third person familiar with the matter said the Israeli government currently does not have the budget for such a move, making relocation to a new building unlikely.
The issue comes as senior diplomatic posts on both sides remain vacant.
Israeli Ambassador Irit Lillian is retiring at the end of this month, while Türkiye’s former ambassador, Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, retired last year.
The vacancy of the chief-of-mission positions adds another complication to bilateral relations, which have remained under strain since Israel withdrew its diplomatic staff from Türkiye in October 2023.
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