Is Israel Near Turkey? Examining the Geography Between These Neighboring Nations

At their closest point, Israel and Turkey are just 240 miles apart. Their proximity means Israelis can easily vacation in Turkey’s seaside resorts, while Turkey attracts Israeli medical tourists.

But relations between the two countries have often been strained. Their close geography belies a complex political relationship.

In this article I’ll look at exactly how near Israel and Turkey are to each other geographically. I’ll overview their history interactions, and some of the tensions that arise from being such close neighbors.

How Far is Israel from Turkey?

At their closest point, Israel and Turkey are separated by just 240 miles (386 km) of the Mediterranean Sea.

The distance from Tel Aviv, Israel to Istanbul, Turkey is around 870 miles (1400 km). A 90-minute flight connects the two cities.

Israel and Turkey share no land border. Their maritime boundary was formally agreed upon in 2010 after decades of dispute. This resolved their conflicting claims over natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean.

Turkey is the largest nation to border the Mediterranean. Stretching between Europe and the Middle East, its strategic location has long made it a center of trade, migration and conquest

Israel is situated along the Levantine coast of the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite its small size, its position bordering Africa, Asia and Europe has brought it great geopolitical significance throughout history.

A History of Shifting Relations

The close geography between Israel and Turkey has produced a long complex relationship

• Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to formally recognize Israel in 1949. This began an era of cooperation.

• Military and economic ties grew between the countries during the 1950s-1990s. Israel upgraded Turkey’s jet fighters while trade flourished.

• In 1996, the two countries signed a free trade agreement and allowed mutual visa-free travel.

• After Turkish leader Erdogan took power in 2003, diplomatic relations began to decline as he embraced the Palestinian cause.

• Tensions escalated in 2010 when Israeli forces raided an aid flotilla to Gaza headed by Turkish activists. 10 activists died.

• Relations reached a low point after Donald Trump moved the US embassy to Jerusalem in 2017. Turkey condemned this recognition of the disputed capital.

Despite recent tensions, Turkey and Israel still share important economic partnerships and work to accommodate their 3 million annual bilateral tourists.

Sources of Tension Between the Neighboring Countries

Several factors drive the fluctuating relations between Israel and Turkey:

• Competing regional interests: Both seek greater influence in the region. Turkey supports Palestinian rights while Israel sees Iran as the greatest threat.

• Energy disputes: Conflicting claims over offshore gas reserves have fueled tensions, though some agreements have been reached.

• Alliance with opposing sides: Turkey is close with Hamas in Gaza while Israel allies with Greek Cyprus. This divides them.

• Religious differences: While Turkey is majority Muslim, Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people. Some minorities in both countries harbor anti-Semitic or anti-Islamic views.

• US relations: Turkey moving away from the US/NATO while Israel aligns more with US causes divisions.

• Leadership shifts: Erdogan in Turkey and Netanyahu in Israel both rose to power on nationalist, conservative populism, harming relations.

Their shared geography means events, conflicts and alliances involving one nation inevitably affect the other, for better or worse. Ongoing regional instability ensures relations between the two remain turbulent.

Tourism and Transport Connecting Israel and Turkey

Despite political tensions, Israel and Turkey maintain strong tourism ties thanks to their proximity:

• Turkey is the #1 destination for Israeli vacationers with over 500,000 visiting annually until recently. Mediterranean coastal resorts like Antalya and Bodrum are popular.

• Israel attracts over 150,000 Turkish tourists each year. They visit holy sites in Jerusalem and lounge on Tel Aviv’s beaches.

• Many Israelis travel to Turkey for medical procedures like hair implants because of lower costs.

• EasyJet, Turkish Airlines, El Al and other carriers operate direct flights between cities like Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Ankara. Flights take 90 minutes to 3 hours.

• Yachts and cruise ships frequently call on Turkish and Israeli ports during Mediterranean voyages.

• Russia’s war in Ukraine has halted the majority of Russians vacationing in Turkey, opening doors for more Israeli tourists.

The two nations hope to eventually launch a car ferry link across the Mediterranean. For now, their shared sea, air links and mutual attraction keep their travel industries interconnected.

However, competing geopolitical ambitions, energy disputes and regional tensions often divide them. Leadership changes and events in Gaza frequently flare up diplomatic conflicts.

Yet the geographic reality is that Israel and Turkey remain just a short flight or boat ride apart across the sea. This ensures the longtime allies, rivals and neighbors will continue grappling with their intricate relationship for years to come.