Erdogan Reveals Annual Trade Volume with Israel

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed that the annual trade volume with Israel was $9.5 billion, "but we considered this trade nonexistent and entered a new phase by cutting commercial relations." He stated, "Suspending trade exchanges with Israel aims to force it to cease fire in Gaza." The Turkish president added in remarks to reporters following Friday prayers: "The developments from Israel against the Palestinians are unacceptable; Israel has killed about 40,000 Palestinians so far. As Muslims, we cannot remain silent about these crimes." He continued, "The decision to sever trade relations with Israel was necessary and has been made; the annual trade volume with Israel was $9.5 billion, and we considered this trade nonexistent, entering a new phase." He mentioned, "During my meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in America last year on the sidelines of the United Nations meetings, I told him our positions and the steps that need to be taken, but Netanyahu is merciless, and his lack of mercy is used against the Palestinians through massacres, and we could no longer endure this." The Turkish president pointed out that "some political parties in Turkey attacked us before the elections concerning relations with Israel, and the attacks were unjust. We waited until after the elections and have now decided to completely cut trade relations with Israel." Turkey has officially announced the severance of all trade relations with Israel, emphasizing that it will not be reversed unless humanitarian aid supplies to the sector are guaranteed. The Turkish Ministry of Trade stated in a statement that Ankara had previously restricted the export of 54 groups of goods to Israel.