Israel retaliates with trade restrictions on Türkiye after export limits

Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced on April 9 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 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," Katz wrote on X, per Israel Hayom.

Earlier, Türkiye'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.

The Turkish ministry said the restrictions would apply to exporting products from 54 categories, such as iron, marble, steel, cement, aluminium, 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 Türkiye 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 Türkiye comes after the breakdown of diplomatic relations between the two nations, with both countries recalling their ambassadors earlier in the year.