Turkey suspends trade with Israel citing ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza

Turkey has halted all trade with Israel in response to its military actions in Gaza, citing the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in the region. The Turkish trade ministry stated that this measure will remain in effect until Israel ensures an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of aid into Gaza. Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to nearly $7 billion. Israel’s foreign minister criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of authoritarian behavior and disregarding the interests of Turkish citizens and businesses. Israel announced plans to seek alternative trade partners, emphasizing local production and imports from other nations. The suspension of trade by Turkey covers all products. This move marks another downturn in the already strained relationship between Turkey and Israel, which deteriorated notably in 2010 following clashes between Israeli forces and Turkish activists aboard a ship attempting to break the blockade of Gaza. Although diplomatic ties were restored in 2016, tensions have persisted, leading to further diplomatic expulsions in subsequent years. Erdogan’s recent criticisms of Israel have escalated following conflicts in Gaza. The international community has also condemned Israel for its handling of the situation in Gaza, with concerns raised about the dire humanitarian conditions, including the threat of famine. Despite efforts to facilitate aid delivery through mechanisms like a newly constructed pier, challenges remain in ensuring adequate humanitarian assistance reaches Gaza. Israel has denied deliberately restricting aid and instead blames the UN for failures in distribution. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in numerous casualties and prompted calls from global leaders, including the US Secretary of State, for a ceasefire and negotiations for the release of hostages.