Turkey has confirmed that it will halt all trade with Israel until the country allows uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This decision comes after two officials familiar with the matter said the pause went into effect earlier on Thursday.
The Trade Ministry of Turkey stated that the country decided to expand last month's restriction on some Turkish exports to Israel due to the "worsening humanitarian tragedy in Palestine." The ministry added that work was underway to ensure that Palestinians were not adversely affected. This move adds to the already high tensions between the once-close allies over the war in Gaza. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been stepping up criticism of the Jewish state and trying to consolidate support among conservative voters at home.
According to the statement, "The second phase of the measures taken at the state level has been started, and export and import transactions related to Israel have been suspended to cover all products." Turkey intends to firmly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Trade between the countries was worth $6.8 billion in 2023, with 76% consisting of Turkish exports, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute. Israel's imports from Turkey totaled $4.6 billion in 2023, making Turkey its sixth-largest source for imports, according to Israel's Central Statistics Bureau. The main imports from Turkey were steel, machinery, minerals and fuels, as well as fresh produce and food products.
Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Turkey's actions, stating, "This is the behavior of a dictator who tramples the interests of the Turkish people and business community, while ignoring international trade agreements."
The Israeli government plans to create immediate alternatives for trade with Turkey by increasing local manufacturing and finding other suppliers. Ron Tomer, president of the Manufacturers' Association of Israel, called on the government to impose protective tariffs of 100% on all imports from Turkey for the next three years and consider banning some imports altogether.
The move came a day after Turkey announced plans to join South Africa's case at the United Nations' highest court as a plaintiff accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Palestinian territory.
Israel and Turkey restored diplomatic ties last August after a decade of tensions and were exploring ways to increase cooperation until Hamas launched its Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish state, sparking the war. The conflict has triggered a popular backlash across the Arab world. Unlike the US and European Union, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization.
Erdogan hosted Hamas's political leader in Istanbul on April 20, calling for immediate aid to Gaza.
--With assistance from Patrick Sykes, Tugce Ozsoy and Inci Ozbek.
(Updates with Turkey confirming halt in trade with Israel)
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