Sure! Here is the translation of your text into English: "15 questions and 15 answers about Turkey's process of halting trade with Israel."

The Ministry of Trade announced that no cargo originating from Israel's ports or bearing the country's origin, which is not included in the Turkey-Palestine bilateral trade mechanism, is allowed to be unloaded at Turkish ports or loaded onto any goods destined for Israel from the ports.

In the "Information Note on Turkey's Process of Halting Trade with Israel" prepared by the Ministry, information was provided regarding the steps taken since the beginning of the process. The note highlighted the decisions made due to Israel's attacks on Palestine and included answers to 15 questions that were raised.

The 15 questions and answers are as follows:



Question 1 - Is trade with Israel continuing after the attacks on October 7, 2023?



Answer: Total trade with Israel has decreased by approximately 32% between October 7, 2023, and May 2, 2024. During this period, Turkey's exports to Israel decreased by 30%, while imports from Israel decreased by 43.4%. No defense products, military-purpose product trade, or training cooperation has been conducted with Israel. As of April 9, 2024, the export of 1,019 products in 54 product groups to Israel has been restricted. Due to Israel's refusal to agree to a ceasefire, disregard for United Nations resolutions, and obstruction of aid to civilians, all import and export transactions with Israel have been completely halted for all products as of May 2, 2024.

Question 2 - Is Israel benefiting from the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey?

Answer: Since trade with Israel has been completely halted, the agreement is not effectively in force.

Question 3 - Are ships leaving Turkey docking at Israeli ports?

Answer: The coastal cities of the State of Palestine have been occupied by Israel. Therefore, 98% of the goods sent from Turkey to Palestine must be delivered through the Israeli-controlled ports of Haifa and Ashdod. At the persistent request of the Palestinian government and the Ministry of National Economy of Palestine during the bilateral official meeting, a unique trade mechanism with Palestine has been developed, considering the risks at Haifa Port. No goods are allowed to leave Turkey unless it is confirmed by the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy and the Ministry of Trade that the importer and the destination are not Palestine.

Question 4 - Are ships going to another country in the region first and then to Israel, or do ships declare they are going to another country and change course during navigation? Is Turkey monitoring or intervening in this situation?

Answer: Turkey intervenes with ships within its maritime jurisdiction and monitors possible abuses.

Question 5 - Why is export to neighboring countries increasing, or are products going to Israel through these countries?

Answer: There is no extraordinary situation in the countries mentioned; a similar upward trend is also observed in other countries.

Question 6 - Are cosmetic products or steel being sent to Palestine? The country is at war; are these products really being sent?

Answer: The population of Palestine, which is nearly 6 million, needs cleaning products and construction materials. Foreign trade transactions with Palestine are only conducted with the confirmation and permission of the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy.

Question 7 - Is it allowed for ships carrying cargo to Israel to knowingly dock at Turkish ports and take cargo from there to Israel?

Answer: No cargo originating from Israeli ports or bearing Israeli origin, which is not included in the Turkey-Palestine bilateral trade mechanism, is allowed to be unloaded at Turkish ports or loaded onto any goods destined for Israel.



Question 8 - Is trade between Turkey and Israel still ongoing, and how does this appear in the reports of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK)?



Answer: TÜİK data shows that there has been no export or import to Israel since May 2024.



Question 9 - Is it true according to Israeli official data that trade with Turkey is continuing?



Answer: Turkey's trade is continuing with Palestine. Customs procedures are carried out by Israeli customs authorities in accordance with the existing protocols between Israel and Palestine. TÜİK figures should be trusted.

Question 10 - Trade with Israel has ended; has there been a reaction from the Israeli government?

Answer: Israel has targeted Turkey's decision on many international platforms. The decision to ban trade has been reported by the Israeli Minister of Economy to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Question 11 - Is oil being sent to Israel through Turkey?

Answer: The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources stated in a statement regarding the issue that the claims of oil shipments to Israel via Ceyhan and that Turkey has allowed this are completely unfounded.

Question 12 - Trade with Israel may have stopped, but there is a very high increase in trade with Palestine. Is it normal for a country at war to import this much?

Answer: Palestine, with a population of about 6 million, is sourcing many products from around the world, even under difficult conditions. The increase appears high due to the base effect created when compared to the previous period after the decision to halt trade. Nevertheless, trade is still below the previous period.

Question 13 - Has Turkey sent jet fuel to Israel?

Answer: Turkey has not sent any jet fuel to Israel in any way.

The fuel in question, which has been manipulated in circulation, consists of the $641,000 return fuel provided to Israeli passenger planes bringing tourists to Turkey before the attacks that began on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Question 14 - Was there an export of gunpowder and explosives from Turkey to Israel?

Answer: Turkey has not allowed the sale of any products or services that could be used for military purposes to Israel, not after the massacre that began on October 7, 2023, but much earlier. Additionally, the export of defense products cannot be carried out without the permission of the Ministry of National Defense.

Question 15 - Israel does not allow the shipment of goods to Palestine; how do products reach Palestine?

Answer: Israel has only prohibited trade between third countries and Palestine specifically regarding Gaza, citing war reasons. As of today, the supply of goods to the West Bank can be carried out under international agreements.