Turkey wants to restrict the export of products to Israel until a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The measure comes into force with immediate effect – and could further damage the already weak Turkish economy.
“Murderer Israel, collaborator AKP,” shouted mostly young people in Istanbul a few days ago. They gathered in the large pedestrian zone in the center of the city. The police arrested 43 of them, all but five of them were released shortly afterwards.
This scene is almost symbolic of the pressure on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AKP party to finally put its words into action, for example: stopping exports to Israel.
Erdogan himself never misses an opportunity to portray himself as a friend of the Palestinian people. A few weeks after their attack on Israelis in October, he described the terrorist Hamas as a liberation organization. Relations with Israel reached a new low.
Government members apparently involved in Israel business
But until recently there were repeated reports that companies close to the government, and sometimes even politicians from the AKP’s coalition partner, the right-wing extremist ultranationalist MHP, continued to do business with Israel. At the same time, the government was working on aid for the people in Gaza. Relief supplies should now be flown in using cargo planes.
Israel rejected this, says Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. So Turkey will react. Fidan announced the export ban one day before the official announcement: “In response to this situation, we have decided to take a series of new measures against Israel.”
These measures will be implemented gradually and immediately and will be publicly announced by the responsible authorities, said Fidan. “They will remain in force until Israel declares a ceasefire and allows unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.”
Erdogan announces more Aid deliveries at
In total, according to President Erdogan, more than 45,000 tons of aid supplies have already reached the Gaza Strip from Turkey via other routes. This shows, says Erdogan in his message at the start of the sugar festival, that Turkey is on the side of the Palestinians – and further: “God willing, we will continue our support until the bloodshed in Gaza stops and our Palestinian brothers and sisters unite “Regain a free Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on the 1967 borders.”
For the time being, however, the export of Turkish goods to Israel has largely come to a standstill. Products for the construction industry and aviation fuel are particularly affected. It is not yet clear whether and to what extent Turkey will harm itself economically as a result. Israel was recently only in 15th place on the list of recipient countries for exports from Turkey.
Turkish economy could be damaged
However, Israel has announced countermeasures that could severely affect Turkey. Foreign Minister Katz said his country will work to ensure that pro-Israel countries no longer invest in Turkey and no longer import goods from Turkey.
In any case, the financial markets reacted immediately: the exchange rate of the Turkish lira was recently stable compared to the euro and dollar. Today it temporarily fell to its lowest level in almost three weeks.
Uwe Lueb, ARD Istanbul, tagesschau, April 9, 2024 5:57 p.m