President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that Türkiye has completely severed and is continuing to sever all commercial relations with Israel in response to the conflict in Gaza.
Speaking at the fifth conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Jerusalem Platform in Istanbul on April 26, Erdoğan stated, “The Israeli authorities believe they can silence us, but they cannot control my heart or words. Their efforts are futile.”
Erdoğan highlighted Türkiye’s recent decision to impose trade restrictions on Israel, including products like cement, steel, and iron. This action followed local protests demanding a swift end to trade ties with Israel.
“We have definitively ended our relations with Israel, especially in terms of commerce,” Erdoğan emphasized.
Regarding the accusations against Türkiye for allegedly selling aircraft and jet fuel to Israel, Erdoğan condemned these claims as “unethical” and baseless.
“Do you have any morals? This false propaganda has been debunked. Despite these lies, we stand firmly on our chosen path,” Erdoğan affirmed.
“We are not like those politicians who change their stance based on circumstances or popularity. We are unwavering in our commitment,” he added.
Erdoğan defended Türkiye’s principled position on the Palestinian cause and criticized Israel, referring to the country as a “modern pharaoh” due to the dire situation in Gaza.
Describing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the “butcher of Gaza” and likening him to Hitler, Erdoğan emphasized the atrocities committed in Gaza, stating, “The blood on his hands will never wash away. The Nazi-like actions have cost thousands of lives.”
Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s condemnation of the alleged genocide in Gaza and reiterated his refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, comparing them to the National Forces in Turkish history.
During a joint press conference with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier on April 24, Erdoğan addressed the claims of continuing trade with Israel, asserting that those ties are “a thing of the past.”
