Türkiye confirms complete halt of trade with Israel from May 2024

Türkiye's Ministry of Trade has confirmed that bilateral trade with Israel has been completely suspended since May 2024, with all operations involving goods to or from the Jewish state prohibited at Turkish ports.

This was outlined in a special bulletin from the Ministry, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.
"No goods destined for Israel can be handled, loaded, or unloaded at Turkish ports.

The import into Türkiye of products directly from Israel and Israeli goods originating from third countries is strictly prohibited. Since May 2, there has been no import or export activity with Israel, as corroborated by data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT)," the document stated.

The Ministry clarified that vessels can still carry cargo from Türkiye to Israeli ports if the goods are intended for Palestine.

"The Palestinian state lacks police forces, ports, airports, customs facilities, or land borders. Palestine is a territory comprising towns and villages surrounded and besieged by Israel. For this reason, 98% of goods sent from our country to Palestine must be transported via the Israeli-controlled ports of Haifa and Ashdod," the Ministry noted.

Each such shipment is subject to meticulous coordination between the trade and customs authorities of Türkiye and Palestine.

According to the document, Israeli customs does not permit the delivery of commercial goods to the Gaza Strip, although trade with the West Bank is "possible under international agreements."

"If customs declarations specify that the goods are destined for the West Bank rather than Gaza, the Israeli authorities allow customs clearance and transport the goods to their destination by their international obligations," the Turkish Ministry explained.

The bulletin also refuted allegations that oil from the Turkish port of Ceyhan had been transported to Israel. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev