Turkiye declares its customs system closed to trade with Israel

Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat has confirmed that Turkiye’s customs system is completely closed to trade with Israel, Ma’an News Agency reported.

He emphasised that Ankara will continue to meet the needs of the Palestinian people and support their just cause economically.

This comes as claims circulate suggesting that trade relations between Turkiye and Israel remain ongoing.

Bolat clarified that on 2 May, the Turkish government decided to suspend all export and import activities with Israel until a permanent ceasefire is declared and humanitarian aid is allowed to flow uninterrupted into Gaza. He added that no customs declarations for exports or imports between Turkiye and Israel have been registered since that date, and no shipments have occurred in either direction.

According to Bolat, under an agreement with the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy, exports are permitted solely if the goods are destined for Palestinian recipients with Palestinian importers, and only after official confirmation from the ministry that the products will be used exclusively within Palestine.

Bolat noted that approximately 25 per cent of Palestine’s needs are supplied by Turkiye, either directly or indirectly.

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