Turkish businesses appear to be bypassing a government-imposed trade ban on Israel by routing exports through Palestine, according to data released by the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TIM).
The data show a 423 percent increase in exports to Palestine during the first eight months of 2024, with exports in August alone surging by over 1,150 percent.
The surge has sparked speculation that goods are reaching Israel through the Palestinian customs system.
In May Turkey halted all direct trade with Israel in response to mounting domestic criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. However, data indicate that goods previously destined for Israel are now being routed through Palestinian territories. Turkish businesses are reportedly using Palestinian Authority customs to facilitate trade as officials struggle to monitor the final destination of exports once they enter Palestine.
Key sectors benefiting from the trade redirection include steel, chemicals and mining products. Steel exports to Palestine, for example, jumped by 8,722 percent in the first eight months of 2024, climbing from $430,000 in the same period last year to $37.9 million. In August, steel exports alone surged by an astonishing 125,437 percent, rising from $17,400 last year to $21.8 million. Similarly, chemical exports to Palestine rose by 3,388 percent in August, while exports of mining products increased by 62,174 percent.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, often criticizing Israel’s actions in the region. Despite this, the economic relationship between Turkey and Israel has remained significant, with bilateral trade reaching $6.3 billion in 2023.
The Gaza Strip is suffering a humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s military campaign against Hamas that has been going on since October 7, with the United Nations and aid agencies warning of impending famine.
On October 7 Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel that resulted in the death of roughly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and some 250 people taken hostage.
Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 40,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry, and has devastated the Gaza Strip.
Turkey is one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of committing “war crimes” and “genocide” in the enclave. In early May Turkey’s Trade Ministry announced that it was suspending all trade with Israel until it allows aid to enter Gaza unhindered during its offensive against Hamas militants.
Turkey’s trade move against Israel followed domestic attacks on the government for failing to cut off trade sooner.
