TURKIYE suspended all trade ties with Israel, stating government measures would continue until the Jewish state allowed the flow of humanitarian goods to the region.
Ankara’s restrictive measures against Israel’s economy entered a new phase after the Turkish ministry of commerce suspended imports and exports with the Jewish state.
The latest measure covered all Israeli products.
The Turkish Ministry of Commerce said the decision was a response to Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip.
The ministry warned the drastic measure will remain in force until Israel declares an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allows an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians in the besieged territory.
In early April, Turkiye blocked the exports of 54 types of goods to Israel – including cement, steel, aluminum, and iron equipment.
Israel and Turkiye reached a trade Columbus of $6.8 billion in 2023.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the suspension and compared his actions to that of a dictator.
Katz added he has instructed the Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to create alternatives for trade with Turkey, focusing on local production and imports from other countries.
“@RTErdogan is breaking agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports. This is how a dictator behaves, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen, and ignoring international trade agreements,” Israel Katz Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
Meanwhile, the Turkish ministry criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his aggressive attitude in Gaza as the tragedy in Palestine worsened.
