It has been a week since Turkey imposed unprecedented export restrictions on trade with Israel, and signs from Ankara suggest that this may be just the beginning of many more restrictions to come. The general atmosphere against Israel in Turkey is deteriorating, with calls for the complete severance of trade relations with Israel becoming more common.
In recent events, it appears that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s conduct in this matter may have been motivated by a desire to profit financially from reconstruction projects planned for Gaza. While Foreign Minister Khan Fidan cited Israel’s refusal to drop Turkish humanitarian aid in Gaza as a reason for the restrictions, data shows that Turkey provides a significant amount of aid to the region.
The impact of these restrictions is already being felt by Israel, as key imports from Turkey are disrupted and supply chains are affected. Turkish officials are reportedly considering further measures to intensify the trade restrictions, which could have significant consequences for the longstanding trade relationship between the two countries. The possibility of launching a flotilla to Gaza by a coalition of organizations could further escalate tensions between Israel and Turkey.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains uncertain how both Israel and Turkey will navigate these challenges and whether they can find a way to resolve their differences. The future of their relationship hangs in the balance, with far-reaching implications for both countries.
