Erdoğan: We do not have intense trade relations with Israel, that business is over. AKP's Zeybekci had defended the trade

Erdoğan welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Ankara with an official ceremony. A joint press conference was held following the one-on-one and inter-delegation meetings.

During the press conference, President Erdoğan was asked about trade relations with Israel.

ERDOĞAN ASKED ABOUT TRADE WITH ISRAEL

Taking the floor at the press conference, German broadcaster DW reporter Erkan Arıkan asked, "You frequently raise your voice against Israel.

You accuse Netanyahu of using Nazi methods. However, at the same time, you are maintaining intense trade relations. How can you explain this contradiction?"

AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan replied, "That business is over," stating that trade relations are not being maintained.

Erdoğan continued his statement with the following remarks;

"WE ARE NO LONGER MAINTAINING TRADE RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL"

We are no longer maintaining intense trade relations with Israel; that business is over. My Foreign Minister announced this recently as well. However, I want you to know this: the death toll in Israel's current attacks on Gaza has unfortunately reached 45 thousand. It is out of the question for us to put this figure aside. The number of wounded has reached 75 thousand. We have brought some of those among the wounded who are in critical condition to our country, and their treatment continues here.

Of course, there is a tragic scene here involving children, women, and the elderly. Our German friends need to see this scene. Gaza and Palestine have been razed to the ground; everything is destroyed. Moreover, Israel and Gaza's weapons, ammunition, and equipment are not even comparable.

One must make assessments by seeing these facts. Besides all this, who is the entire West standing with? They are standing with Israel. Does Gaza have any means against these brutal attacks by Israel? No, they are in a state of deprivation. Despite all this, we are currently making an effort and struggling for the exchange of hostages. We hope that we will be successful in this exchange.

WHAT HAD NİHAT ZEYBEKÇİ SAID?

“We argue that sensitive work needs to be done. Perhaps in the form of registration rather than banned products. As you know, Denizli is Turkey's largest copper cable exporting city. We have friends who have very important connections in Israel.

I mean, yes, we condemn the genocide, the massacre, the massacre of babies that Israel is committing against Muslims in Palestine and Gaza with hatred and violence, yes, there is nothing to say against that, but on the other hand, regarding the parts of trade that do not harm anyone...

Because Israel is a country with which we have a free trade agreement, meaning it is a country from which we sell 6 and buy 1. In that sense, I believe we need to be more sensitive.

We are working on this with our friends. I personally believe that we should bring this to the agenda with the economic coordination and relevant heads, and that it needs to undergo a more sensitive adjustment.”

News Source: 12punto