Ankara — Turkiye has escalated its stance against Israel, announcing a full suspension of trade and blocking Israeli access to its ports and airspace in response to what it describes as “genocide in Gaza.”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told lawmakers during a special parliamentary session on Friday that Ankara had “completely severed” economic ties with Israel, declaring that no Turkish-flagged ships would be allowed to dock at Israeli ports and Israeli planes would no longer be granted entry into Turkish airspace.
“Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza for the past two years, ignoring basic humanitarian values before the eyes of the entire world,” Fidan said.
Trade Relations Cut Off
Turkiye had already suspended direct trade with Israel in May last year, demanding an end to hostilities in Gaza and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. Before ties soured, bilateral trade between the two countries had reached $7 billion in 2023.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly condemned Israel’s actions, comparing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler and accusing Israel of pursuing expansionist policies that threaten stability across the Middle East.
Security Concerns and Regional Tensions
According to analysts, Ankara no longer views the Gaza crisis solely through a humanitarian lens. “Turkiye increasingly perceives Israel as a national security threat,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar, pointing to Israel’s attacks in Syria and across the wider region.
In Syria, Turkish officials have accused Israel of deliberately undermining post-war recovery efforts following last year’s fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Diplomats in Ankara now warn that unchecked Israeli aggression could eventually bring the two countries into direct confrontation.
A Shift in Global Alliances
Fidan’s remarks also underscored Turkiye’s intent to push for stronger action from the Global South, at a time when Washington and Brussels continue to offer near-unconditional support for Israel.
“Turkiye is not just another country cutting ties,” said Israeli political analyst Akiva Eldar. “It has been an ally, a significant market, and a popular destination for Israeli tourists. The sense of isolation among Israelis is growing as more countries and companies distance themselves from Israel.”
Longstanding Frictions
Relations between Turkiye and Israel have been turbulent for over a decade, deteriorating sharply after the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid in which Israeli forces killed 10 Turkish citizens. Tensions have deepened in recent years, with Ankara frequently denying Israeli officials use of its airspace.
The killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist, by Israeli forces in the West Bank last September further strained relations, prompting renewed outrage in Turkiye.
Despite years of military and economic cooperation, Ankara’s latest move signals one of the most decisive breaks yet in bilateral ties and highlights the growing cost Israel faces internationally over its ongoing war in Gaza.
