Turkey recalls ambassadors to US, Israel over embassy dispute

Turkey is recalling its ambassadors to the United States and Israel following the official inauguration of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, CNN and other news outlets reported.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag told Turkish state media that the diplomats would return to Ankara after dozens of Palestinians were killed along the Gaza border on Monday, according to CNN.

A spokesperson for the Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C., later confirmed the decision to the news outlet, telling CNN it was not clear how long the recall would last.

The Hill has reached out to the embassy for further comment. 

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The decision to recall ambassadors comes on the same day that a delegation of aides and Trump administration officials celebrated the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

The event was marred by violence in the surrounding area, as Israeli soldiers shot and killed dozens of Palestinians during protests along the Gaza border, according to multiple reports.

The White House blamed the violence on Hamas.

Trump’s decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv fulfilled a campaign promise, despite pushback from European and Middle Eastern leaders who warned that doing so could undermine peace talks in the region.

Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.

Turkey was among the countries to condemn the decision at the time. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that stance after the embassy opened on Monday.

“This action is legally null and void. We emphasize that such a step which disregards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people will not serve peace, security and stability in the region,” the ministry said in a statement.

Press Release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the the Republic of Turkey, regarding the Decision of the US Administration to Move Its Embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/UpufBpLYyr

— Serdar Kilic (@serdarkilic9) May 14, 2018