Turkey has taken a bold stance against Israel by halting all exports and imports in response to the “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories. The Turkish trade ministry announced this decision on Thursday, citing Israel’s refusal to allow Ankara to participate in aid air-drop operations for Gaza and its offensive on the enclave.
The trade restrictions imposed by Turkey cover all products related to Israel, and the country has vowed to strictly enforce these measures until Israel allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This move comes after Turkey and Israel had a trade volume of $6.8 billion in 2023.
In response to Turkey’s actions, Israel’s foreign minister criticized Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports. The foreign minister went on to call Erdogan a dictator for disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, as well as international trade agreements.
In light of these developments, Israel is now exploring alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries. This decision marks a significant shift in the economic relationship between the two countries and reflects the escalating tensions in the region. The impact of Turkey’s trade halt on Israel and the broader geopolitical implications remain to be seen.