Is trade with Israel continuing? The Minister of Trade Bolat announced it by providing a date.

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Trade Minister Ömer Bolat responded to claims that Turkey continues to trade with Israel through a statement on his social media account. Minister Bolat announced in his statement that export and import transactions with Israel were halted as of May 2, 2024.

In his statement regarding the issue on social media, Minister Bolat noted:

"TURKEY'S CUSTOMS SYSTEM REGARDING TRADE WITH ISRAEL IS COMPLETELY CLOSED"

Our government has completely halted export and import transactions related to Israel for all products as of May 2, 2024, until Israel declares a permanent ceasefire and allows sufficient and uninterrupted humanitarian aid flow to the Gaza Strip. After this date, there are no registered customs declarations for exports and imports from our country to Israel. Similarly, there are no shipments from Israel to our country. Our customs system regarding trade with Israel is completely closed.

On the other hand, as stated in our Decision dated May 2, 2024, in order to supply the products needed by Palestine, which has a population of approximately 6 million covering the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, exports are allowed only upon official confirmation with the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy that the products are "originating from Palestine and the buyer is a Palestinian importer."

It has been stated many times by the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy that these goods are exclusively used by Palestine; this is also evident from our trade data indicating that these goods belong to our trade with Palestine.

PALESTINE IMPORTS 25% OF ITS IMPORTS FROM TURKEY

Indeed, Palestine, with an annual total import of approximately 7.7 billion dollars in 2022 and a population of nearly 6 million, imports about 25% of its imports from our country, either directly or indirectly, every year. In 2024, our exports to Palestine have started to be entered into the statistical system with its own code, and previously registered Palestinian purchases that were recorded as Israel are now being recorded in our statistical system with Palestine's own code.

In the Turkey-Palestine bilateral trade mechanism established and strengthened over time, Palestinian importers apply to the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy for each shipment, and after the agreed information regarding the shipment is confirmed electronically under the coordination of our Ministry, the registration processes for the shipments are carried out.

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY PALESTINE'S JUST CAUSE ECONOMICALLY AS WELL"

Emphasizing that Palestinian importing companies apply to the Palestinian National Economy Ministry, Minister Bolat stated, "If this application is deemed appropriate, the confirmation letter issued by the Palestinian National Economy Ministry is sent to our country's electronic confirmation channel. The registration of customs declarations related to the export in question by the customs administrations is only permitted if the confirmation letter has been received during this process and is approved after evaluations regarding the products." Bolat continued:

"In imports from Palestine to our country; if the export application of Palestinian exporters to our country is deemed appropriate by the Palestinian National Economy Ministry, it is confirmed after it is communicated to us and verified that the country of origin is Palestine. Additionally, imports and exports to Palestine from Free Zones and warehouses can also be completed after confirmation under the same electronic approval mechanism. Our country will continue to meet the needs of the oppressed Palestinian people with this mechanism and to support Palestine in its just cause economically as well."