Turkey suspended trade with Israel as of Thursday, the 2nd of April, citing a “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories, with the Turkish trade ministry announcing a suspension of both exports and imports, covering all products, reports Reuters.
In 2023, trade between the two countries amounted to 6.8 billion US dollars.
“Turkey will firmly and decisively implement these new measures
until the Israeli government ensures a continuous and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza,” a statement from the Turkey’s trade ministry was quoted.
Last month, Turkey imposed trade restrictions on Israel because Israel blocked Ankara from participating in air aid deliveries and its offensive on the enclave.
On Thursday, Israel’s foreign minister said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was violating agreements by blocking Israeli import and export ports.
“This is what a dictator does, disregarding the interests of the Turkish people and business and ignoring international trade agreements”, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on X.
Katz said he had instructed the foreign ministry to develop alternatives to trade with Turkey, focusing on domestic production and imports from other countries.
Also read: Officials: US pier to begin operations off Gaza coast as soon as this weekend
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