Turkey has taken significant steps to cut off all commercial and economic ties with Israel, as part of its firm stance against the military campaign in Gaza. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced these measures, which include closing airspace to some Israeli flights and ports to Israeli ships. The decision comes after Ankara accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, which the Israeli government has denied. This move signifies a major escalation in the already tense relationship between Turkey and Israel, which has been deteriorating since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023.
A Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters that the flight restrictions only target official Israeli flights and planes with weapons or ammunition, not routine transit by commercial carriers. The agency also reported that Turkish port authorities are now informally requiring shipping agents to attest that vessels are not linked to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for the country. However, an Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that Turkey had ‘already announced severing economic relations with Israel in the past, and the relations continued,’ apparently referring to Ankara’s suspension of imports and exports in May.
The minister’s comments are the latest indication of deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel, which have been strained by the war in Gaza. The conflict began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023, prompting a retaliatory operation against the Palestinian enclave. Turkey has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, which Israel denies. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘the butcher of Gaza,’ at one point suggesting that the scope of his war crimes surpassed those committed by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
In 2023, Turkey recalled its ambassador from Israel, and in 2024, it severed all diplomatic ties. These actions represent a major shift in Turkey’s foreign policy, reflecting its deepening opposition to Israel’s actions in the region. The situation has significant implications for trade and diplomatic relations, with the potential to impact both countries’ economies and international standing.