Turkey will restrict exports of a wide range of products to Israel, including steel and jet fuel, until a ceasefire is declared in Gaza, the Turkish Trade Ministry said on Tuesday, in Ankara’s first significant measure against Israel after six months of war.
Turkey has denounced Israel for its campaign on Gaza. Ankara has called for an immediate ceasefire, supported steps to try Israel for genocide, and sent thousands of tons of aid to Gazans.
However, Ankara also maintained commercial ties with Israel despite its strong rhetoric, prompting a domestic backlash.
In a statement following Ankara’s announcement that it would be taking measures after Israel rejected its request to take part in an aid airdrop, the ministry said the restrictions would take effect as of Tuesday.
It stated that the measures would apply to the export of products from 54 different categories, including iron, marble, steel, cement, aluminum, brick, fertilizer, construction equipment and products, aviation fuel, and more.
However, Ankara also maintained commercial ties with Israel despite its strong rhetoric, prompting a domestic backlash.
In a statement following Ankara’s announcement that it would be taking measures after Israel rejected its request to take part in an aid airdrop, the ministry said the restrictions would take effect as of Tuesday.
It stated that the measures would apply to the export of products from 54 different categories, including iron, marble, steel, cement, aluminum, brick, fertilizer, construction equipment and products, aviation fuel, and more.
“This decision will remain in place until Israel, under its obligations emanating from international law, urgently declares a ceasefire in Gaza and allows the unhindered flow of sufficient humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip,” it said.
Shortly after the Israel-Hamas war started, Turkey and Israel pulled back their ambassadors. Tuesday’s move is the first significant measure taken by Ankara against Israel since the start of the conflict. President Tayyip Erdoğan has faced growing criticism over his government’s commercial ties to Israel.
Police detained dozens of demonstrators demanding an end to the trade with Israel in Istanbul on Saturday. Authorities suspended two police officers involved in the incident as the government works to restore popular support after a thumping opposition win in the March 31 local elections.
Erdoğan’s stance toward Israel and the conflict in Gaza was a key factor in some of his party’s losses in the vote, with the Islamist New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah) increasing its support on the back of a more hardline stance on Gaza.
According to the data published by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), while trade with Israel has fallen since October 7, exports to Israel have increased each month in 2024 so far and were worth USD 423.2 million in March.
Total exports in the first quarter of the year amounted to USD 1.1 billion, down 21.6% year-on-year, TIM data showed.
Shortly after the Israel-Hamas war started, Turkey and Israel pulled back their ambassadors. Tuesday’s move is the first significant measure taken by Ankara against Israel since the start of the conflict. President Tayyip Erdoğan has faced growing criticism over his government’s commercial ties to Israel.
Police detained dozens of demonstrators demanding an end to the trade with Israel in Istanbul on Saturday. Authorities suspended two police officers involved in the incident as the government works to restore popular support after a thumping opposition win in the March 31 local elections.
Erdoğan’s stance toward Israel and the conflict in Gaza was a key factor in some of his party’s losses in the vote, with the Islamist New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah) increasing its support on the back of a more hardline stance on Gaza.
According to the data published by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), while trade with Israel has fallen since October 7, exports to Israel have increased each month in 2024 so far and were worth USD 423.2 million in March.
Total exports in the first quarter of the year amounted to USD 1.1 billion, down 21.6% year-on-year, TIM data showed.
