Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a dramatic escalation of its stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict, Turkey has announced a full suspension of trade relations with Israel. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the decision on Friday, stating that Ankara will no longer permit trade with Israel and will also block Israeli aircraft from entering Turkish airspace, as well as ban Turkish vessels from docking at Israeli ports.
“We have completely cut our trade with Israel,” Fidan declared in a press statement carried by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency. “Turkish ships will not head to Israeli ports, and Israeli planes will not be allowed to enter our airspace.”
The move marks one of the most significant diplomatic ruptures between the two countries in recent years, amid growing Turkish anger over Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Fidan’s announcement is the latest in a series of harsh condemnations from Ankara, which has increasingly positioned itself as a vocal critic of Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories.
In his remarks, the foreign minister went further, expressing deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and accusing Israel of destabilizing the region. “If Israel is allowed to continue its reckless attacks, especially in Gaza, the consequences will not be limited to the Palestinians it will ignite the entire region,” Fidan warned during a speech in the Turkish parliament.
The foreign minister also reiterated Turkey’s strong opposition to any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza. “We are firmly against any plan to displace the people of Gaza, regardless of who proposes it. Such plans are null and void in our eyes,” he said.
However, in a surprising contradiction to official Turkish statements, Israeli airlines reported on Friday that their flights continue to operate through Turkish airspace without disruption, raising questions about the immediate enforcement of Ankara’s recently declared ban on Israeli air traffic and trade.
Fidan went on to emphasize Ankara’s broader regional concerns, particularly in neighboring Syria. “Turkey will not allow any party to exploit Syria’s ancient and diverse identity for agendas that threaten the country’s unity,” he added, signaling that Ankara’s regional policy remains firmly focused on preventing foreign influence and fragmentation in conflict zones.
Highlighting Turkey’s ideological stance, Fidan framed the Palestinian resistance not just as a political movement, but as a transformative force. “The Palestinian resistance will change the course of history. It will become a symbol for the oppressed and shake the foundations of a decaying system,” he stated.
Turkey’s decision to suspend trade and aviation ties with Israel represents a major policy shift with potentially far-reaching economic and diplomatic consequences. The two countries have had a tumultuous relationship for over a decade, marked by repeated cycles of rapprochement and rupture. Trade had remained one of the few relatively stable aspects of bilateral relations, even as political tensions flared.
This latest break could further isolate Israel in the region, as Ankara one of the more influential powers in the Muslim world, takes a leading role in criticizing its actions. At the same time, it signals President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government’s willingness to use economic and geopolitical levers to exert pressure and shape regional outcomes.
The announcement comes as international diplomatic efforts continue to struggle to contain the ongoing violence in Gaza, and as humanitarian concerns mount over the scale of destruction and civilian suffering.
Whether Turkey’s bold stance will shift the regional calculus or prompt further international pressure on Israel remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Ankara is no longer content with rhetorical opposition alone and is prepared to back its words with decisive economic and political action.
