Turkey restricts exports to 'Israel' over Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Apr 2024 13:36
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The Turkish Trade Ministry announced restrictions on exports to "Israel", citing "Israel's" flagrant violations of international law and refusal to comply with calls for a cease-fire and uninterrupted humanitarian aid into Gaza.

People hold a banner that reads in Turkish: "No to genocide!" during a pro-Palestinian protest outside the US embassy in Ankara, Turkey, November 6, 2023. (AP)

"Israel continues to flagrantly violate international law and ignores the international community's numerous calls for a cease-fire and uninterrupted humanitarian aid," the Turkish Trade Ministry said in a statement announcing the restriction of exports of certain products to "Israel".

According to the statement, the Turkish ministry underscored that the restriction will continue until "Israel" implements a cease-fire and allows “sufficient and uninterrupted flow" of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Consequences of international agreemnents

Resolutions passed by the UN Security Council, General Assembly, and Human Rights Council, alongside interim injunction decisions issued by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on January 26 and March 28, all collectively "obliged Israel to reach a cease-fire" as part of South Africa's case accusing it of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.

The statement also stressed that "Türkiye has decided to restrict the export of products to Israel under the product groups specified in the annex, as a first move, as of April 9, 2024. The requirements of this decision will be immediately implemented."

"This decision will remain in effect until Israel, within the framework of its obligations arising from international law, declares an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and allows a sufficient and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip."

The Israeli occupation, thus, as per the Turkish Trade Ministry must "in full cooperation with the UN, allow the uninterrupted provision of all basic humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including the medical supplies and health services they need."

Turkey has refrained from permitting the sale of any product or service that could be utilized for military purposes to "Israel" until the genocide in Gaza reaches an end.

It is important to note that the annex listed several types of aluminium and steel products, paint, electric cables, construction materials, fuel, and other materials.

Amid the serious situation in the Gaza Strip, the Turkish ministry reiterated its appeal to all members of the international community to play their part in ensuring Israeli compliance with its obligations under international law.

In conclusion, the statement noted that the government and people of the Republic of Turkey "continue to stand by and support Palestine and its people, as we have done so far."

Reciprocation as punishment

In turn, the Israeli occupation's Foreign Minister accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of prioritizing support for "Hamas over Turkey's economic interests."

Additionally, the "Israel's" FM stressed that the occupation would implement its own trade restrictions on Turkish products in response to Turkey's export limitations. Moreover, he pointed his finger at Turkey, accusing Ankara of unilaterally violating trade agreements with "Tel Aviv".

Turkey denies reports of offers to return ambassadors with 'Israel'

The Turkish president's office announced on Tuesday that media allegations of Turkey purportedly asking "Israel" to return ambassadors after they were recalled late last year are false.

The administration released a statement explaining that the Israeli media claim of Turkish officials citing they "want to improve relations with Israel is untrue."

The statement detailed that Turkey made no such proposals.

In November, Turkey called back its ambassador to "Tel Aviv" for consultations, the Foreign Ministry announced at the time.

The foreign ministry announced that due to the "humanitarian tragedy in Gaza" caused by "continuing attacks by Israel against civilians, and Israel’s refusal of calls for a cease-fire and continuous and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid," Turkish ambassador in "Tel Aviv" Sakir Ozkan Torunlar has been summoned to Ankara for "consultations".