Turkey made an announcement on Thursday, declaring a cessation of all trade activities with Israel, marking a notable stance against Israel amid the conflict with Hamas. The Turkish Trade Ministry issued a statement attributing the halt to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, specifying that “export and import transactions in relation to Israel have been stopped, covering all products.”
In an effort to mitigate adverse effects on Palestinians, Turkish authorities pledged to work closely with Palestinian counterparts to ensure minimal disruption caused by the suspension of trade activities. This move was described by the ministry as the “second phase” of measures against Israel, emphasizing that these steps would endure until Israel facilitates an unimpeded and adequate flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Reports surfaced earlier indicating that Turkish ports were already impeding exports destined for Haifa and Ashdod ports, while Israeli goods arriving in Turkey remained undischarged. The trade relationship between the two nations had reached a volume of $6.8 billion in 2023.
Following the initial reports of Turkey’s trade halt, Israeli Foreign Minister Yisroel Katz criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of breaching agreements by obstructing ports crucial for Israeli imports and exports. Katz condemned Erdogan’s actions, alleging dictatorial behavior that disregards the interests of Turkish citizens and businesses, as well as international trade agreements.
Katz accused Erdogan of “breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports.”
“This is how a dictator behaves, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements,” Katz wrote on X.
He said he instructed Foreign Ministry Director General Yaakov Blitshtein to “immediately engage with all relevant parties in the government to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries.”
Katz reiterated Israel’s determination to foster a robust and resilient economy, asserting, “We Win, and They Lose.”
Turkey’s stance towards Israel during the conflict with Hamas has been notably critical, with Erdogan branding Israel a “terrorist state” and accusing it of committing “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza. He has also defended Hamas as a “liberation group.”
Allegedly, the Turkish Foreign Minister is assessing the economic ramifications of Turkey’s measures against Israel. The trade restrictions imposed by Turkey violate free trade agreements established in the mid-1990s between the two countries.
Last month, Turkey announced restrictions on the export of 54 products to Israel, including cement, steel, aluminum, and iron construction materials, in response to the Gaza conflict. Despite Erdogan’s strong rhetoric against Israel, his party suffered significant losses in local elections, particularly to the Islam-based Yeniden Refah (New Welfare) Party.
Following the election, Yeniden Refah Party leader Fatih Erbakan criticized Erdogan for maintaining trade ties with Israel amid the Gaza conflict, attributing the election outcome to the actions of those engaging in unrestricted trade with Israel. Erdogan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog met in Ankara in March 2022, seeking to normalize relations that had become strained due to the conflict.
{Matzav.com Israel}
