Turkey Blocks Trade With Israel Amid “Violence” Against Palestinians.

Turkey has ceased all trade with Israel owing to the latter’s “constant assault” on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Turkish Trade Ministry.

Many countries, including Colombia, South Africa, Bahrain, Chile, Honduras, Chad, and Jordan, have already severed connections with Israel in response to the latter’s brutal and unjust treatment of Palestinians. Israel’s relations with Saudi Arabia are likewise now halted. This will be a major blow to Israel’s economy and geopolitical stature. Israel’s position in the ongoing conflict will also be affected dramatically due to lack of support from major international powers. 

Turkey has halted all trade with Israel over its offenses in Gaza, dealing a significant blow to Netanyahu’s government. Erdogan identified the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as the primary cause for the trade halt. Israel’s foreign minister, Katz, criticized the action, claiming that Erdogan is disrespecting the interests of Turkish citizens and businesspeople while also rejecting international trade accords.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in September 2023, only weeks before the commencement of war.

Israel’s foreign minister accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of acting like an “autocrat”.

On X, Israel Katz argued that Mr Erdogan was disrespecting the interests of Turkish citizens and businesspeople while also ignoring international trade accords.

He also stated that he had directed the foreign ministry to seek alternatives for commerce with Turkey, with an emphasis on domestic manufacturing and imports from other nations.

Mr Erdogan has become more outspoken in his condemnation of Israel since the deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, last year.

He has often lambasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comparing him to Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin, and referring to him as “the butcher of Gaza”.

Mr Netanyahu has stated that Turkey’s leader is the last person who can preach morality to Israel. In March, he claimed that President Erdogan “supports the mass murderers and rapists of Hamas, denies the Armenian genocide, and massacres Kurds in his own country.”

For months, the Turkish leader has been under domestic political pressure to declare actions against Israel from both opponents and allies.

His ruling AK party suffered its biggest setback in two decades in municipal elections at the end of March, and many religious voters backed the Islamist New Welfare party, which advocated harsh anti-Israel policies.

Reason For Turkey’s Actions Against Israel:

Turkey has suspended all trade with Israel due to the latter’s “constant assault” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the Turkish Trade Ministry.

The move comes after Turkey imposed limits on a range of exports to Israel last month, which Ankara said on Thursday will remain in place until a cease-fire in Gaza is established.

According to the ministry’s statement, Ankara restricted the export of 54 product groups to Israel in early April due to continued crimes, ethical disasters, and collateral damage caused by Israel. The Israeli government also blocked humanitarian aid after implementing an international ceasefire.

“It is seen that the Israeli government continues its hostile attitude, and the humanitarian crisis in Palestine deteriorates.” the Ministry stated.

“In this respect, the second phase of the measures adopted at the state level has begun, and export and import transactions with Israel have been suspended for all products.” the statement continued.

Turkey would strictly and decisively execute these new measures until the Israeli government enables a continuous and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, it added.

On the other hand, the Turkish Trade Ministry is working with Palestinian authorities to ensure that these limitations do not affect Palestinians who are “forced to live under occupation,” according to the Ministry.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, trade between the two countries was $6.8 billion in 2023, and Turkish exports accounted for 76 percent of total exports.