Turkey Implements Export Restrictions to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Written by Sophie Ritzenthaler | April 15, 2024

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

As of this week, Turkey has restricted several export products to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Palestine. Turkey has been a strong advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza, claiming that Israel has intentionally attacked civilians, and these restrictions are its first concrete measures against Israel. Historically Turkey has not had great relations with Israel but had shown signs of improvement until early last fall. Turkey has sent a significant amount of aid to Gaza since the first attack on October 7, although it had maintained economic ties with Israel up until this point. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan received domestic backlash for its continued ties with Israel and decided to implement restrictions on over fifty products from a multitude of categories. In recent weeks there have been anti-government protests and a drop in popular support because of its continued economic ties. Israel’s refusal of Turkey’s request to take part in a scheduled aid drop in Gaza is ultimately the event that prompted these restrictions. 

The Trade Ministry in Turkey has imposed restrictions on goods including steel, aluminum, cement, and jet fuel among others. The ministry released a statement saying, “The decision will remain in place until Israel declares a cease-fire in Gaza and allows the flow of a sufficient amount of uninterrupted aid to the Gaza Strip,” signaling the seriousness of Turkey on this issue. This decision was met with anger from Israel with its foreign minister claiming that Turkey is forfeiting economic interest for the sake of Hamas. The foreign minister also claimed that Turkey has unilaterally violated trade agreements with this decision and has vowed to respond in kind to these actions. Israel has begun to prepare an “extensive list” of Turkish products that it will be banning to retaliate and is planning to ask the U.S. to stop investments, prevent imports of Turkish products, and impose appropriate sanctions. It is unclear if the U.S. will grant these requests. Overall, the imposed restrictions will hit an already damaged construction industry in Israel further exacerbating damages caused by the October 7 attack.