Ministry of Trade responds to claims of trade with Israel: 'Trade stopped completely 23 months ago'

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir claimed, based on data from the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics on his social media account, that Turkey exported 176 million dollars to Israel in the January-February 2026 period. Emir stated that this data was published by the central bureau of statistics, which Israel had restricted access to.

In his post, Emir criticized the government's failures in foreign policy, using the expression, "The trade they claimed to have cut off continued while Israel was bombing Gaza, and it continues during its war with Iran."

STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF TRADE

The Ministry of Trade gave a harsh response to these statements by Emir. The Ministry stated that trade with Israel has been completely stopped for 23 months, saying, "With the decision taken by the Republic of Turkey on May 2, 2024, exports, imports, free zone, and transit trade with Israel have been completely stopped for exactly 23 months."

The Ministry also emphasized that air and sea transport under Turkish and Israeli flags is not being conducted, and that trade with Israel is blocked at customs and in free zones.

TRADE WITH PALESTINE ANNOUNCED

The Ministry of Trade stated that trade conducted with Palestine is carried out through two Israeli ports due to Palestine not having its own port or customs.

In its statement, the Ministry noted that shipments made with the approval of the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy are valid only for products directed to Palestine, and that these transactions are audited by the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Trade.

The Ministry announced that Turkey has stopped exports to Israel, to which it exported an average of 600-700 million dollars per month before October 7, 2023, for 2 years. It was stated that exports exceeding 13-14 billion dollars were waived during this period. This policy of Turkey aims to support the Palestinian cause.

The Ministry also drew attention to the fact that Turkey sends medical aid to Gaza and provides assistance to its Palestinian brothers. Turkey stands out as the first country to impose an economic embargo on Israel.

The Ministry of Trade reacted to the claims of CHP deputies by saying, "Lies and distorted news are slanders aimed at creating the perception that Turkey continues its trade with Israel." The Ministry stated that the statements of CHP deputies serve to legitimize Israel's genocide and oppression.

Furthermore, it was emphasized that the aid Turkey sends to Palestine continues uninterrupted and that it is trying to deliver aid to the people of Gaza.

The Ministry stated that it relies on transparent data published by the Ministry of Trade of Turkey and the Turkish Statistical Institute, noting that the data shared by Emir is incorrect and distorted. The Ministry of Trade once again explained that exports made to Palestine are used only for Palestine and take place through Israel's own ports.