The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to take a number of measures in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's decision to halt trade between the two countries. The measures, described by the Foreign Ministry as "important and practical," were announced at the conclusion of a consultation meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
Among the main steps announced, there is a focus on reducing any economic relations between Turkey and the Palestinian Authority and Gaza, as Turkey is the largest importing country from the Palestinian Authority, with total imports to the Palestinian Authority amounting to about 18 percent.
Israel will appeal to international economic forums to consider punishing Turkey for violating trade agreements. On the other hand, Israel will work immediately to find alternatives in various fields and products, while providing assistance to the affected Israeli export sectors.
On Thursday, Turkey announced that it had decided to suspend all trade exchanges with Israel until the Israeli state allows humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, following Ankara's imposition of restrictions on Turkish exports to Israel last month.
