Türkiye has stopped all trade with Israel

Turkey has stopped all imports from and exports of goods to Israel due to the ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. About it reports Bloomberg, citing two Turkish officials. There has not yet been official confirmation of a complete cessation of trade. It is not known under what conditions trade may resume.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, trade turnover between Turkey and Israel amounted to $6.8 billion in 2023. About 76% of this amount came from Turkish exports.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on the social network X that Ankara’s decision violates the interests of the Turkish people and business, ignoring international trade agreements.

Israel will work to create immediate alternatives to trade with Turkey by increasing local production and looking for other suppliers, Katz said.

Last week Erdogan statedthat the country no longer develops trade relations with Israel. The Turkish leader accused the Israeli authorities of killing over 45 thousand and injuring 75 thousand Palestinians in Gaza.

Reuters notes that Ankara’s decision expands previously imposed restrictions on exports to Israel.

At the beginning of April, the Turkish Ministry of Trade introduced restrictions 54 items of manufactured goods will be exported to Israel until there is a complete ceasefire in Gaza and uninterrupted supplies of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The restrictions included, in particular, steel and plastic pipes, aluminum wires, motor oil, cement, and mineral fertilizers. There were no reports of Israeli retaliatory measures at that time.