Turkey becomes the 5th largest exporter to Israel: UN data sparks controversy
With 2.86 billion dollars in exports to Israel in 2024, Turkey has risen to become the fifth-largest supplier of goods to Israel, following China, the US, Germany, and Italy.
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Data shared by journalist Metin Cihan has revealed that Turkey is the 5th largest exporter of goods to Israel. According to information based on an Al Jazeera report dated May 21, 2025, and data from the United Nations International Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), Turkey exported 2.86 billion dollars worth of goods to Israel in 2024. This data places Turkey as the fifth-largest exporter to Israel, following China, the US, Germany, and Italy.
The report states that Israel imported a total of 91.5 billion dollars in goods in 2024, with the majority of these imports coming from countries such as China (19 billion dollars), the US (9.4 billion dollars), and Germany (5.6 billion dollars).
Journalist Metin Cihan shared the following statement on the social media platform X:
“We are the 5th largest exporter to Israel.
News: Al Jazeera
Source: United Nations International Trade Statistics Database”
By attaching a visual chart from the relevant Al Jazeera report to his post, the journalist once again brought Turkey's commercial relations with Israel to the public agenda.
HAD PREVIOUSLY REVEALED IT BY TRACKING SHIP TRAFFIC
Metin Cihan had previously documented and announced to the public the cargo ships regularly sent from Turkey to Israeli ports using international maritime platforms. Following these posts, he was targeted by certain circles close to the government. Government officials, meanwhile, argued that this trade was conducted by the private sector and claimed it could not be directly linked to state policies.
While the political leadership in Turkey has developed harsh rhetoric against Israel, especially following the developments in Gaza, the continued increase in trade between the two countries has led to debates in the public sphere regarding a "contradiction between rhetoric and action." The opposition and some non-governmental organizations argue that there is a serious inconsistency between the government's rhetoric of support for Palestine and its practical commercial relations.
On the other hand, another reality is that those who protest Turkey's trade with Israel at various events are being detained by force...