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Babacan evaluates Trump's remarks on Gaza and attacks Erdoğan: 'The AKP's mind is on trade with Israel'

DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan criticized the AKP for its policies toward Israel. Opposing the continuation of Turkey's commercial ties with Israel, Babacan alleged that AKP members still want to conduct trade with Israel.

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Stating that Turkey continues to trade with Israel despite the genocide in Gaza, Babacan expressed his reaction to the ruling party, stating that the AKP's mind is on 'rent and trade.' Babacan claimed that trade with Israel has decreased due to public backlash and noted that the country can no longer say 'one minute' due to its current economic situation.

Stating that the government's mind is on trade with Israel, Babacan said the following:

'I have always said it, and I am saying it now. Since October 7, the government in Turkey has unfortunately not done what was necessary regarding this issue, and it is not doing it... They only started saying that they cut or would cut trade with Israel months later, after various reactions and protests.'

On the other hand, Babacan recalled his own terms as Minister of Economy and Minister of Foreign Affairs, sending a message that the economy was strong during those periods. The DEVA Party leader emphasized that Turkey 'peaked' economically during those periods and argued that the country cannot react to Israel now due to its current economic situation.

Drawing attention to the situation of European countries during the 2008 economic crisis, Babacan expressed the following:

'Their minds and eyes are still on that trade, on those rents... It was easy to lean on the economy we strengthened at the time and say 'one minute.' Remember that day in Turkey, during the time I was Foreign Minister and we were peaking in the economy, while all of Europe was bankrupt; while Greece, Italy, Spain, and Portugal were almost all bankrupt, it was easy to say 'one minute' when Turkey was standing tall. Now they cannot do it.'

US President Donald Trump's remarks on Gaza were also evaluated by Babacan, X who shared the following message on his account:

'Gaza belongs to the people of Gaza. Gaza belongs to those who resist for an independent Palestinian state. Palestinians do not have a single inch of land to give to either Israel or the US. No matter what you do, you will be defeated.'

TRADE BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL

Following the Gaza war that began on October 7, 2023, commercial relations between Turkey and Israel continued as they had in the past until May 2, 2024. When May arrived, Turkey decided to stop all import and export transactions with that country in response to Israel's attacks in Gaza.

With this decision, customs declarations were closed, and Turkey's exports to Israel ended completely. However, it emerged that there was a significant increase in Turkey's exports to Palestine during the same period. In the first nine months of 2024, exports to Palestine increased by 526 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 571.2 million dollars.

The fact that trade with Palestine reached historic highs led to comments in the media that Turkey's trade with Israel was continuing through indirect means. In particular, the fact that a significant portion of exports to Palestine took place via Israel and that Israeli ports were used in this process led to increased criticism. In response, officials of the Republic of Turkey insisted that trade with Israel had been completely stopped and that exports to Palestine were aimed directly at meeting the needs of the Palestinian people.