The Turkish government announced this morning (Tuesday) that it will impose sanctions on exports to Israel until the end of the war in Gaza. The sanctions include an export ban on products in 54 different categories, including building iron, steel, marble, and ceramics.
According to the announcement of the Turkish Trade Minister, Ömer Bulat, the export restrictions to Israel will continue until Israel "declares an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in accordance with international law, and allows humanitarian aid to flow to the Strip without interruption."
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in a press conference that, "We have decided to take a series of steps against Israel in this case. These measures, approved by our President, will be implemented step by step, and without delay. They will be shared with the public by our relevant institutions."
The Turkish announcement comes a day after it was reported that Israel refused to allow Turkey to drop humanitarian aid into Gaza. Ankara responded by saying that, "we have decided to take a series of measures against Israel. The measures will continue until Israel declares a ceasefire and allows aid to enter without interruption."
Israel's decision to prevent Turkey from transferring aid came in response to its criticism of the Jewish State.
About two months ago, Erdogan claimed that, "Netanyahu and his government, with their crimes against humanity in Gaza, write their names alongside Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin, as today's Nazis."
The Turkish leader also defended Hamas, saying that, “No one can make us qualify Hamas as a terrorist organization. Turkey is a country that speaks openly with Hamas leaders and firmly backs them.”
