Türkiye cuts all trade and economic ties with Israel, Foreign Minister says

Fidan said these steps were taken in response to Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, as well as its strikes on Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.

According to him, Türkiye has suspended all trade with Israel, shut its airspace to Israeli planes, and barred Turkish ships from docking at Israeli ports.

Turkish ports are also closed to container vessels carrying weapons and ammunition destined for Israel.

"In this context, with the participation of 52 countries, we launched a significant international initiative at the UN, calling for an end to the supply of weapons and ammunition that feed Israel's war machine," the minister said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister named Israel a "terrorist state" and described its military operation against Hamas in Gaza as "genocidal policies."

Fidan also accused Israel of expanding its occupation of the Golan Heights and striking Syrian territory, including targets in Damascus.

Türkiye’s criticism of Israel

For more than a year, Türkiye’s President and government have consistently criticized Israel over its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, launched in October 2023.

In early May 2024, Ankara suspended trade with Israel, saying it was ready to resume once humanitarian aid could flow freely and sufficiently into Gaza.

In June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sharply condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites.

More recently, Foreign Minister Fidan strongly denounced Israel’s operation in Gaza and urged the UN to prevent further escalation in the region.

Speaking at the UN Security Council on July 16, Fidan accused Israel’s army of committing genocide in Gaza, saying the enclave had already been turned into a concentration camp.

He pointed to mass displacement of civilians, widespread destruction, and the deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid.