Turkey announces ban on certain exports to Israel until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza

By richardbrown // 2024-04-10

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Turkey has taken a decisive stance in response to Israel's actions in Gaza, announcing the suspension of certain exports to Israel. The Turkish Ministry of Trade noted in a statement how Israel continues to disregard international law and fails to adhere to resolutions from the United Nations Security Council and rulings from the International Court of Justice. (Related: Erdogan REBUKES "terror state" Israel and its Western backers.) As a result, 54 products, ranging from aluminum wire to pesticides and engine oils, will no longer be exported to Israel. This restriction will remain in place until Israel declares an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ensures uninterrupted humanitarian aid flow to the region. The decision comes one day after Israel refused to permit Turkish cargo military planes from participating in international aerial humanitarian aid drops over Gaza, which prompted Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan to promise "step by step" reprisals against Israel. Since the beginning of the conflict in Oct. 7, when Hamas attacked southern Israel and Tel Aviv responded with a massive and indiscriminate offensive in Gaza, Turkey has ramped up its criticism of Israel. At one point, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even called Israel a "terrorist state." This includes recalling its ambassador for consultations, suspending energy talks and advocating for the creation and recognition of an independent State of Palestine on the international stage. Turkey has even floated the idea of becoming part of a coalition of international guarantors to help stabilize this new state. "We will continue our support to our Palestinian brothers and sisters until the bloodshed in Gaza stops and they live in a free Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the 1967 borders," said Erdogan on Tuesday, April 9, adding that Turkey has already sent over 45,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Israel responds with its own sanctions against Turkey

In response to these developments, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz instructed his ministry's economic division to compile its own extensive list of products that Israel will prohibit from being exported to Turkey, signaling the beginning of a trade war between the two nations. The statement from his Katz's alleged that, by announcing the sanctions against Israel, Turkey is violating trade agreements and Tel Aviv would take all necessary measures to respond.. Additionally, Israel intends to urge pro-Israel countries and organizations in the United States to halt investments in Turkey and prevent the import of Turkish products. The Foreign Ministry will also be lobbying The U.S. Congress to investigate Turkey for possible violations of anti-boycott laws against Israel and impose sanctions on Erdogan's regime accordingly. "Erdogan is once again sacrificing the economic interests of the people of Turkey for his support of the Hamas murderers in Gaza who raped, murdered and desecrated the bodies of women, girls, adults and burned children alive," claimed Katz in a statement. "Israel will not submit to violence and blackmail and will not complain about the unilateral violation of the trade agreements and will take parallel measures against Turkey that will harm the Turkish economy." Turkish exports to Israel stood at $5.43 billion last year, down from $7.03 billion in 2022. Ron Tomer, president of the Manufacturers' Association of Israel, said in an interview with Israel's Army Radio, highlighted how the Israeli economy was heavily dependent on imports from Turkey. He noted that about 50 percent of Israel's cement, steel and marble imports came from Turkey, which he added was, before the sanctions, in the process of "taking over" other areas, including Israel's construction industries. Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom further reported that the clothing and electrical goods industries in Israel are the most likely to take the biggest hit from the Turkish restrictions, as many of the country's fashion outlets source materials from Turkey. Other industries also concerned are those that rely on household items, soaps, shampoos and certain food products imported from Turkey. Watch this clip of Erdogan calling Israel a terrorist state whose "end is near." This video is from the HaloRockTM channel on Brighteon.com.

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Israel responds with its own sanctions against Turkey

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