Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced Tuesday that Israel would prepare trade restrictions on products from Turkey, in response to Ankara's decision to restrict exports to Israel.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip "Erdogan is once again sacrificing the economic interests of the people of Turkiye for his support of the Hamas murderers in Gaza who raped, murdered and desecrated the bodies of women, girls, adults, and burned children alive," Katz wrote on X.
Earlier, Turkey's Trade Ministry stated that it would restrict exports of a wide range of products to Israel, including steel and jet fuel, until a ceasefire with the Hamas terror organization is declared. This move by Ankara is considered the first significant measure against Israel after months of conflict.
FM @Israel_katz:
Erdogan @RTErdogan is once again sacrificing the economic interests of the people of Türkiye for his support of the Hamas murderers in Gaza who raped, murdered and desecrated the bodies of women, girls, adults and burned children alive.
Israel will not give in… https://t.co/SZvA9NkLuQ
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) April 9, 2024
The Turkish ministry's statement said the restrictions would apply to the export of products from 54 different categories, such as iron, marble, steel, cement, aluminum, brick, fertilizer, construction equipment and products, aviation fuel, and more. "This decision will remain in place until Israel allows the unhindered flow of sufficient humanitarian aid into the area," the statement added.
While trade between the two countries has declined since the start of the conflict, exports from Turkey to Israel were still worth $423.2 million in March, according to data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly. Total exports in the first quarter of 2024 amounted to $1.1 billion, down 21.6% year-on-year.
Israel's decision to impose retaliatory trade restrictions on Turkey comes after the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two nations, with both countries recalling their ambassadors earlier in the year.
