Turkey has halted all trade with Israel, citing the “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories, which prompted strong criticism from the Israeli foreign minister.

“Export and import transactions related to Israel have been stopped, covering all products,” Turkey’s trade ministry said late on Thursday.

“Turkey will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli government allows an uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, accused Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of acting like a “dictator” after the restrictions were first reported.

    • Liz@midwest.social
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      6 months ago

      I actually would like to know the answer. Maybe he’s trying to get an easy win over the West? Maybe he’s trying to more strongly align with the Muslim world?

      • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        13
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        edit-2
        6 months ago

        Analysis: Ruling party errors give Turkey’s opposition hope for future

        Finally, another factor has emerged in the past six months as a result of Israel’s war on Gaza – a widespread perception that the government has ignored its core base’s emotional response to the suffering in Gaza and disappointment with its policies on the issue.

        This has created a sense of betrayal and alienation among those who have traditionally supported the ruling party because of its ties to Islamic identity and has been one of the fundamental causes of the rise of the conservative New Welfare Party, which advocates cutting trade links and severing diplomatic ties with Israel.

        Turns out Genocide on brown people is less popular in the middle east.