Ankara: Turkey has halted all trade with Israel in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, denouncing it as a “worsening humanitarian tragedy”.
The Turkish trade ministry declared that this suspension would endure until Israel permitted an “uninterrupted and sufficient flow” of aid into Gaza, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Trade relations between Turkey and Israel amounted to nearly $7 billion (£5.6 billion) last year.
Israel’s foreign minister criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, likening his actions to those of a “dictator”.
Israel Katz stated on X, “disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and businessmen and ignoring international trade agreements”
He further directed the foreign ministry to explore alternative trade avenues, focusing on local production and imports from other nations.
In an official statement, Turkey clarified that the trade suspension encompassed “all products.”
Turkey affirmed its commitment to rigorously implement these measures until the Israeli government allowed the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
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Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel in 1949, yet relations have soured over the years.
In 2010, diplomatic ties between Turkey and Israel ruptured following clashes between Israeli commandos and pro-Palestinian Turkish activists aboard a Turkish-owned ship attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
Although relations were restored in 2016, they deteriorated once more in 2018, resulting in the expulsion of each other’s top diplomats amidst disputes over Israel’s actions during protests along the Gaza-Israel border.
President Erdogan has intensified his criticism of Israel since the deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October last year.
In January, he likened Israel’s military offensive to actions reminiscent of Hitler’s regime.
Prime Minister Netanyahu fired back, accusing Erdogan of genocide against the Kurds and suppressing journalists.
Recently, Israel reopened the Erez Crossing into northern Gaza for aid convoys, under international pressure.
However, Jordan reported that some of its aid lorries were attacked by Israeli settlers en route to the crossing.
A UN-backed report highlighted the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, suggesting that it was evolving into a man-made famine.
Volker Türk, the UN’s top human rights official, suggested that Israel may be employing starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza.
Israel denies obstructing aid deliveries and blames the UN for failing to distribute aid effectively within Gaza.
Since the October 7th attack, more than 34,500 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire, stating that “the time is now”. A proposed deal awaits a response from Hamas.
The proposed deal reportedly involves a 40-day ceasefire and the release of over 30 Israeli hostages in exchange for numerous Palestinian prisoners.
