Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Trade respond to 'cooperation and arms trade with Israel' allegations

The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Trade have issued a denial regarding allegations concerning Israel. The Ministry of National Defense shared a statement on its social media accounts titled "Statement Regarding Allegations of Cooperation with Israel."

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: THERE ARE NO ACTIVITIES

The following was noted in the Ministry of National Defense's statement:

"Israel's violent actions in Gaza, which indiscriminately target hospitals, schools, places of worship, refugee camps, and civilians, continue. It is impossible for the Republic of Turkey, which has always stood by Palestine, to carry out any activity that would harm Palestinians or to be involved in such an activity.

In this context, the Ministry of National Defense has no activities with Israel, including military training, exercises, or defense industry cooperation."

MINISTRY OF TRADE: 'REPORTS ARE INTENDED FOR MANIPULATION'

The Ministry of Trade also shared a press release regarding allegations that arms trade is being conducted with Israel. The statement included the following expressions:

"In examinations conducted following reports on some websites claiming that, according to official TURKSTAT data, 'the export of gunpowder, explosives, pyrotechnic products, ammunition, weapons, and parts from Turkey to Israel continued as of January 2024';

It was understood that in January, under the chapter heading 'Gunpowder and explosives, pyrotechnic products, matches, pyrophoric alloys, combustible materials,' 'gel fuel and lighter gas' were exported, and under the chapter heading 'Arms and ammunition, their parts and accessories,' 'spare parts and accessories for smoothbore hunting rifles and fishing equipment (harpoons, etc.)' were exported.

Thus, it is understood that the expressions in the chapter headings of the Customs Tariff Schedule are being manipulated to attempt to mislead the public. These reports made by the aforementioned foreign-sourced websites are intended for manipulation and do not reflect the truth.

We present this to the public's information."