Protesters block port road to demonstrate against company shipping goods to Israel: Long queues formed

A group of citizens gathered to protest Israel's attacks on Palestine, blocking the road at the Beylikdüzü Ambarlı Port and stopping containers carrying goods to Israel.

A group organized via social media gathered on the Ambarlı road.

The crowd blocked the road and did not allow the passage of trucks bearing the name of the company shipping goods to Israel. A long queue of trucks formed due to the protest.

Police teams were dispatched to clear the road.

Following the warnings of the police teams who arrived at the scene after being notified of the incident, the road was reopened after 3 hours as the group dispersed.

MINISTER BOLAT: EXPORTS AND IMPORTS WITH ISRAEL WERE STOPPED ON MAY 2, 2024

Hours before the citizens' protest, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat had made a statement on his social media account, announcing that all commercial relations with Israel had been halted as of May 2.

Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat provided an update on Turkey's trade with Israel in his statement on his social media account. Minister Bolat stated that export and import transactions with Israel were completely stopped as of May 2, 2024. Bolat stated, "After this date, there is no customs declaration registered in our country for exports to or imports from Israel. Likewise, no shipments are taking place from Israel to our country. Our customs system is completely closed to trade with Israel," he said.

SUPPLY PROCESS FOR PALESTINE

In the continuation of his statement, Minister Bolat also provided information regarding the supply of products needed by Palestine, which has a population of approximately 6 million in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, in line with the decision taken on May 2, 2024. He emphasized that upon the request of the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy, exports would be permitted if it is confirmed that the shipment is "destined for Palestine and the buyer is a Palestinian importer."

TURKEY-PALESTINE RELATIONS

Sharing trade data between Turkey and Palestine, the Minister stated that approximately 25% of Palestine's total annual imports in 2022 were made from Turkey. He stated that exports to Palestine began to be recorded with their own code in the statistics system in 2024. He said that the trade mechanism established between Turkey and Palestine is carried out through applications made by Palestinian importers for each shipment and the confirmation process is conducted electronically.

SUPPORT FOR THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE

Minister Bolat stated that the country will continue to meet the needs of the Palestinian people and provide economic support to Palestine's just cause through this mechanism. He concluded his words by saying, "With the established system, steps have been taken to strengthen the trade relations of both Palestinian importers and Turkey."