In the photo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a joint statement to the media in Baghdad on April 22, 2024.
Ahmed Roubaye/Associated Press
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Ahmed Roubaye/Associated Press
In the photo, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a joint statement to the media in Baghdad on April 22, 2024.
Ahmed Roubaye/AP
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey suspended all imports and exports to Israel on Thursday, citing the country’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and vowed to continue the measures until the Israeli government allows humanitarian aid to be delivered to the region.
“Import and export transactions related to Israel have been stopped, covering all products,” a Turkish Trade Ministry statement said.
Turkey’s foreign ministry said Turkish officials would coordinate with the Palestinian authorities to ensure Palestinians are not affected by the import and export suspension.
The ministry described the step as a “second phase” of measures against Israel, adding that they would remain in effect until Israel “allows uninterrupted and adequate humanitarian aid flows into Gaza.”
Last month, Turkey, a staunch critic of Israel’s military operations, announced restrictions on the export of 54 products to Israel, including aluminum, steel, construction products and fertilizers. Israel also announced trade barriers in response.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Türkiye of blocking Israeli imports and exports from Turkish ports.
Katz wrote on the social platform X that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “undermined the agreement by blocking Israeli import and export ports.”
Katz said he had directed officials to “immediately engage with all relevant parties in government to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries.”
Erdogan’s government suffered a major setback in local elections in March and is under intense pressure at home to halt trade with Israel. Critics accuse the administration of practicing double standards by promoting commercial ties while leveling strong accusations against Israel.
Türkiye recognized Israel in 1949. Turkish leaders have stepped up criticism of Israel after its military attack on Gaza, accusing it of war crimes and genocide. He described the Hamas militant group, considered a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union, as freedom fighters.
This week, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey had decided to join South Africa’s legal case against Israel at the International Court of Justice and would soon submit a formal request to intervene in the case.
South Africa filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention by its military attack on Hamas. Israel denies that its military operations in Gaza violate the Genocide Convention.
