Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today that the suspension of trade relations with Israel, announced yesterday, is aimed at “forcing” that country to accept a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

“We have taken some measures to force Israel to accept a truce and increase the amount of humanitarian aid entering (Gaza), President Erdogan told businessmen in Istanbul. “We will monitor the consequences of the measure we took in cooperation with circles of our entrepreneurs”, he emphasized.

The suspension of its commercial transactions Turkey with Israel will continue until a permanent ceasefire is ensured in Gaza as well as the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat said today.

Turkey yesterday suspended all exports and imports to and from Israel, citing the “worsening humanitarian tragedy” in the Palestinian territories.

Israel’s intransigent stance and the worsening situation in Gaza led Turkey to suspend trade, Bolat said in a speech in Istanbul, announcing April trade figures. The volume of trade between the two countries was set at $6.8 billion in 2023.

“Breach of Agreements”

Commenting on the developments, the Israeli foreign minister said yesterday that Erdogan is violating the agreements by blocking Israeli imports and exports. He noted that Israel will look for alternatives, focusing on local production and imports from other countries.

“This is how a dictator behaves, ignoring the interests of the Turkish people and Turkish businessmen, disregarding international trade agreements,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on X.