Israel draws all diplomats from Turkey

Israel withdrew all its diplomats from Turkey on Thursday, including Ambassador Irit Lillian, said numerous sources with knowledge of the issue for Middle East Eye.

Israel's National Security Council issued a travel warning to Turkey on Tuesday, citing fears that Israeli travellers might be targeted. He urged all Israeli citizens in Turkey to leave as soon as possible after raising his travel council to the highest level.

Three sources familiar with the issue told Middle East Eye that diplomats left Thursday due to security concerns and not due to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

One source noted that the councils of Israel's National Security Council did not distinguish diplomats from ordinary Israelite citizens and had called on all Israelites to leave.