Turkey Bans Israeli Vessels, Blocks Turkish Ships From Entering Israel

Turkey has halted all trade and transport ties with Israel, closing its ports to Israeli ships and barring Turkish vessels from entering Israeli ports. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the measures during a special session of parliament on Friday, saying they were a response to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

Fidan told lawmakers that Turkey has “totally cut” trade ties with Israel. He explained that Israeli ships are no longer allowed to dock at Turkish ports, while Turkish-flagged vessels are prohibited from calling at Israeli ports. He added that planes carrying weapons or ammunition to Israel are banned from Turkish airspace.

A Turkish diplomatic source later clarified that the restrictions apply specifically to Israeli government flights and military-related flights, not to commercial transit aircraft.

Per sources, Turkish port authorities had already asked shipping agents to submit letters confirming that vessels have no ties to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo destined for the country.

Fidan said that Turkey’s actions come alongside humanitarian efforts. He stated that Turkish planes are ready to conduct aid airdrops over Gaza once Jordan gives its approval. “Our planes are ready, once Jordan gives its approval, we will be in a position to go,” he told parliament.

Ankara, the Capital of Turkey, accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave, a charge Israel strongly denies. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also directly compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.

The two countries previously had a substantial economic relationship. In 2023, bilateral trade amounted to around $7 billion. However, Turkey had already halted direct trade with Israel in May last year, demanding a permanent ceasefire and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Fidan, addressing parliament, said that Israel had been “committing genocide in Gaza for the past two years, ignoring basic humanitarian values right before the world’s eyes.”

References: Reuters, Aljazeera

Source: Maritime Shipping News