Trade Ministry imposes restrictions on 54 products following criticism over trade with Israel

Following the recent increase in "trade with Israel" protests in many cities across the country, the Ministry of Trade has decided to impose export restrictions.

The statement made by the Ministry of Trade is as follows:

"TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE"

"The number of our Palestinian brothers and sisters who have lost their lives in the total massacre carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip for over 6 months, since October 7, 2023, indiscriminately targeting innocent Palestinian people and civilian settlements, has exceeded 33 thousand, and the number of injured is over hundreds of thousands. The vast majority of these consist of women and children. The Gaza Strip has been razed to the ground and has suffered great destruction.

The Palestinian people, who are trying to hold on to life in the Gaza Strip, are struggling with hunger and all kinds of deprivation in a way unprecedented in our age, and their access to the most basic foodstuffs, medical aid, and supplies is being blocked by Israel. Deaths from starvation are increasing, and epidemic diseases are spreading.

Since October 7, 2023, Turkey has carried out political and diplomatic efforts at the highest level, both before the parties and in the international arena and within the Islamic world, to stop the conflicts, prevent humanitarian loss and physical destruction, ensure that a permanent ceasefire and the search for a diplomatic solution prevail first, and for the reconstruction of Gaza.

After Israel's attacks began, Turkey rushed to the aid of Gaza and the people of Gaza, delivering tens of thousands of tons of aid by ships and planes, primarily food, health, medical aid, and the evacuation of thousands of patients, and has become one of the leading two countries in the world in this field.

However, Israel continues to openly violate international law and ignores the countless political and legal calls for a ceasefire and the provision of uninterrupted humanitarian aid from the international community.

To date, Israel has unfortunately not implemented any of the decisions taken in this direction by the United Nations Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council, and the International Court of Justice, which are the fundamental building blocks of international law and order.

In this context,

United Nations Security Council resolutions 2728, 2720, and 2712, United Nations General Assembly resolutions ES-10/21 and ES-10/22,

• United Nations Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC55/L.30,

The provisional measures decisions taken by the International Court of Justice in The Hague on January 26 and March 28, 2024, within the scope of the case filed against Israel for alleged violation of the Genocide Convention,

have imposed a clear obligation on Israel to reach a ceasefire and, in full cooperation with the UN, to allow the uninterrupted provision of all basic humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and health services, needed by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In particular, the aforementioned decisions of the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice are legally binding.

Turkey has repeatedly stated that it will follow up on the implementation of all these decisions.

In line with this, Turkey has decided to restrict the export of products under the product groups specified in the Annex to Israel as of April 9, 2024. The requirements of this decision will be implemented immediately by the Ministry of Trade.

This decision will remain in effect until Israel, within the framework of its obligations arising from international law, declares an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and allows the flow of sufficient and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

In fact, for a long time, our country has not permitted and does not permit the sale of any product or service that could be used for military purposes to Israel.

Within the framework of the grave stage reached in the Gaza Strip, our call to all members of the international community is to fulfill their responsibilities to ensure that Israel complies with its obligations arising from international law.

As the state and people of the Republic of Turkey, we will continue to stand by and support Palestine and its people, as we have done until today.

Respectfully announced to the public."

WHICH PRODUCTS ARE SUBJECT TO EXPORT RESTRICTIONS TO ISRAEL?

Export restrictions have been imposed on 54 products in trade with Israel.

Here are those products:

News Source: 12punto