Turkey has announced export measures against Israel after it reportedly refused to allow Turkey to take part in an aid airlift to the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Turkey says it has rejected Israel’s request to participate in aid airlift to Gaza [Getty]
Turkey will restrict exports of a wide range of products to Israel, including steel and jet fuel, until a ceasefire is declared in the Gaza Strip, Turkey’s trade ministry said Tuesday, in the first major Turkish government move against Israel after six months of war. did.
Turkey has accused Israel of carrying out the worst operation in the Gaza Strip, which killed more than 33,000 people, mostly civilians. The attack began on October 7th by the Palestinian organization Hamas, which the group claims was carried out in retaliation for Israel’s blockade of Gaza and occupation of Palestine.
Ankara has called for an immediate cease-fire, supports Israel’s genocide trial and sent thousands of tons of aid to residents of the Gaza Strip.
However, despite the strong rhetoric, the Turkish government also maintained trade ties with Israel, sparking a domestic backlash.
The ministry said in a statement after Turkey announced the measures after Israel rejected its request to take part in an aid airlift. The restrictions would take effect from Tuesday.
It said the measure would apply to exports of products in 54 different categories, including iron, marble, steel, cement, aluminium, bricks, fertilizers, construction machinery and products, aviation fuel, etc.
“This decision will remain in place until Israel, in accordance with its obligations under international law, urgently declares a ceasefire in Gaza and allows the unimpeded flow of adequate humanitarian aid to the Strip.” said.
Israel’s foreign minister said Turkey’s decision to restrict exports was a “unilateral violation” of the trade agreement and said Israel would respond with its own trade restrictions on products from Turkey.
Shortly after Israel’s war in Gaza began, Turkey and Israel withdrew their ambassadors. Tuesday’s action is the first major step taken by the Turkish government against Israel since the start of the conflict. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing growing criticism over his government’s trade relations with Israel.
Police detained dozens of demonstrators in Istanbul on Saturday demanding an end to trade with Israel. Authorities suspended two police officers involved in the incident as the government seeks to regain public support following the opposition party’s landslide victory in local elections on March 31.
Erdoğan’s stance on Israel and the war in Gaza has been a key factor in his party’s defeat in some votes, and the Islamist New Welfare Party (Yeniden Refa) has gained support due to its tougher stance on Gaza. It is increasing.
According to data released by the Turkish Exporters Council (TIM), trade with Israel has been decreasing since October 7, but exports to Israel have increased every month so far in 2024, with an increase in March was worth $423.2 million.
Total exports in the first quarter of this year fell 21.6 percent from the same period last year to $1.1 billion, according to TIM data.
