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.
Overwhelmingly Muslim country with a head of government who has reinforced their Muslim identity to safeguard his own power. This doesn’t have as much to do with leftism or humanitarism as it has to do with being somewhat coherent with their declared in-group, lest their own base turns against them. I think the move is good though, even if I don’t trust their reasons.