Israel considers ban on direct imports from Turkey following Ankara’s boycott of Israeli goods

Israel is reportedly considering a ban on direct imports from Turkey as a response to the Turkish government’s boycott of Israeli goods over two months ago.

"In response to unilateral actions taken by the Republic of Turkey to halt imports to and exports from Israel since May 2024, while discriminating in favor of the Palestinian Authority, it is proposed to instruct the Finance Minister to issue an order prohibiting the import of all goods arriving directly from Turkey to Israel," read the document that the Prime Minister’s Office has shared with ministers.

If implemented, the Israeli proposal would still not prohibit the import of Turkish goods via a third country. There are concerns in Israel that such strong measures could potentially lead to increased prices of specific goods in the Israeli market. Despite Ankara’s declaration to stop exporting products to Israel, Turkish goods continue to be delivered to Israel through third parties.

In May, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz blasted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for declaring a complete boycott on trade with Israel.

“Erdoğan crossed a line and blocked ports for Israeli exports and imports. This is how a dictator behaves – trampling on the interests of the Turkish people, businessmen and ignoring international trade agreements,” Katz stated. He also noted that the Israeli economy is robust and that Turkey would stand to lose, as the Turkish economy is currently struggling with high unemployment and escalating inflation.

Erdoğan has systematically condemned Israel for the war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza while refusing to condemn the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians including women, children and elderly.

Erdoğan, who denies that Hamas is a terrorist organization, has repeatedly demonized Israel and compared Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

While official relations between Turkey and Israel are currently very tense, the Israeli document proposing a boycott on direct imports from Turkey backs the formation of an advisory committee that would monitor the situation “according to developments.”

The Israeli document placed the proposed Turkey boycott in a wider context of trilateral trade between Turkey, Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA)

"In 2023, the total trade volume between Israel and Turkey in goods (excluding diamonds) was $6.2 billion. Of this, $4.6 billion was imports from Turkey, and $1.6 billion was exports from Israel. As a result of the trade halt with Israel, goods from Turkey are now imported to Israel through third countries, and exports have ceased entirely, while imports to the Palestinian Authority continue.”

“Turkey's unilateral actions violate the principle of the customs envelope. Such a violation could set a precedent for other countries, thereby endangering national security, especially at this time when Israel is at war. Additionally, this violation may cause economic harm to Israel due to the integration between the Israeli and Palestinian markets."