Financial Associated Press, May 3 (editor Niu Zhanlin) Thursday local timeFreeslotgameswithbonusspinsTurkey has taken an important step in halting all trade with Israel that day, according to Turkish officials, adding to the already highly strained relations between the two countries.
In fact, as early as last month, Turkey announced export restrictions on Israel, involving 54 categories of products, including aviation fuel, oil, steel, cement, aluminum, chemical fertilizers and construction equipment. This is also the first time that Turkey has taken major measures against Israel since the outbreak of the new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Turkey's decision is a response to Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip and demands that Israel declare a ceasefire and allow humanitarian assistance within the framework of its obligations under international law. Israel, for its part, accused Turkey of unilaterally violating the bilateral trade agreement and announced that it would take necessary counter-measures.
At that time, the Government of Turkey claimed that the export restrictions would take effect immediately until Israel complied with its obligations under international law and immediately declared a ceasefire in Gaza, allowing sufficient humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip smoothly.
According to the Turkish Bureau of Statistics, trade between Turkey and Israel in 2023 was US $6.8 billion, of which 76 per cent was Turkish exports.
Later Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Katz confirmed the news.FreeslotgameswithbonusspinsHe said that Turkey has begun to block Israeli import and export activities at Turkish ports, trampling on the interests of the Turkish people and business groups, and ignoring international trade agreements.
Katz said the Israeli government plans to quickly find or create alternatives to reduce dependence on Turkish trade. It may involve encouraging and supporting domestic production and planning to find other countries as alternative trading partners.
Data show that in 2023, Turkey's largest export to Israel is iron and steel, and the largest import from Israel is refined oil.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly criticized Israel's actions in the war and said he will continue to support Palestine until the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip stops and the Palestinian brothers establish a free Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Mr Erdogan had previously said Turkey would no longer engage in "high-frequency trade" with Israel, adding that "that is over".