Turkey Suspends Trade with Israel Over Gaza Offensive
In a bold move, Turkey has suspended all trade with Israel in response to the ongoing offensive in Gaza, citing the “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the strip. The Turkish trade ministry announced that the measures would remain in place until Israel allowed an “uninterrupted and sufficient flow” of aid into Gaza. This decision comes as a significant blow to the economic relationship between the two countries, as trade between them was valued at almost $7 billion last year.
Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, wasted no time in criticizing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his actions, accusing him of behaving like a “dictator.” Katz went on to say that Erdogan was disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, as well as ignoring international trade agreements. He instructed the foreign ministry to explore alternative trade options with a focus on local production and imports from other countries.
Turkey’s statement regarding the trade suspension made it clear that the measures would cover “all products” and that they would be strictly enforced until Israel met their demands for humanitarian aid to Gaza. This latest development marks a significant deterioration in the already strained relations between Turkey and Israel.
The history of diplomatic relations between the two countries has been tumultuous. In 2010, Turkey severed diplomatic ties with Israel after Israeli commandos killed 10 pro-Palestinian Turkish activists aboard a Turkish-owned ship attempting to break Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza. Relations were only restored in 2016, but tensions resurfaced two years later when both countries expelled each other’s top diplomats following a dispute over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
President Erdogan has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of Israel, particularly since the Hamas attack on Israel last year. In January, he likened Israel’s military offensive to actions taken by Hitler, prompting a sharp response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Erdogan of committing genocide against the Kurds and imprisoning journalists who oppose his rule.
The situation in Gaza has drawn international attention, with a UN-backed assessment warning of catastrophic hunger for 1.1 million people and imminent famine in northern Gaza by May. The White House announced plans to open a pier built by the US military to facilitate aid flow into the territory, but Israel denies limiting aid deliveries and blames the UN for failing to distribute aid effectively.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas’ attack on southern Israel last year, resulting in a significant loss of life on both sides. The conflict has claimed the lives of over 34,500 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
As tensions escalate between Turkey and Israel, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. The suspension of trade between the two countries is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in the region.