Turkey Freezes Trade with Israel Over Gaza War
Facts
- Turkey’s trade ministry announced on Thursday that the country has halted all import and export transactions with Israel, 'until the Israeli government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”1
- In response to the move, which Turkish Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat added would last 'until a permanent cease-fire is established,' Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of behaving like a dictator, disregarding the interests of his own people and trade agreements.2
- On Friday, Erdoğan said that these measures are intended 'to force Israel to agree to a cease-fire and increase the amount of humanitarian aid” going into Gaza. He further stressed that Turkey wants to stop further conflict in the region.3
- Though trade between Israel and Turkey was worth almost $7B in 2023, relations between them have been strained in recent years, especially since the start of the war in Gaza for which Erdoğan has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.4
- Turkey imposed trade restrictions on Israel in April over an alleged refusal to allow Ankara to participate in aid air-drop operations over Gaza, as well as the Israeli military actions in the strip.5
Sources: 1CNN, 2New York Times, 3The Times of Israel, 4BBC News and 5Jerusalem Post.
Narratives
- Anti-Israel narrative, as provided by Daily Sabah. Pres. Erdoğan is simply representing the overwhelming feeling of the Turkish people, who want to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. Israel commits daily atrocities in Gaza while the international community does nothing. Even more damning, the Arab and Islamic worlds have also failed to rally around the people of Palestine. Turkey's move is a victory for Palestinian rights.
- Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Ynetnews. Turkey's actions are completely reprehensible, and Erdoğan should be thinking more strategically. Ankara, by halting trade with Israel, is violating regulations and endangering world trade and supply chains. Israel is a strong nation with many allies, and is more than capable of finding alternative trade partners if need be.