Turkey has completely halted its trade with Israel.

```html

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated that Turkey's customs system is completely closed to trade with Israel, saying, "Our country will continue to meet the needs of the oppressed Palestinian people and to support them economically in their just cause."

"OUR TRADE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY STOPPED"

Minister Bolat shared a response to claims that trade with Israel continues during a live broadcast he participated in, via his account on X.

Reminding that the government has completely halted export and import operations related to Israel for all products as of May 2, 2024, until Israel declares a permanent ceasefire and allows sufficient, uninterrupted humanitarian aid flow to the Gaza Strip, Bolat stated that there have been no registered customs declarations for exports and imports from Turkey to Israel since that date. He also noted that there have been no shipments from Israel to Turkey, indicating that the customs system regarding trade with Israel is completely closed.

GOODS ARE SENT TO PALESTINE WITH CONFIRMATION

Referring to the decision made on May 2, 2024, Bolat stated, "In the framework of the mutual agreement reached upon the request of the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy for the supply of products needed by Palestine, which has a population of approximately 6 million covering the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, exports are only permitted if it is confirmed officially with the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy that the destination is '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, and it can also be understood from our trade data that these goods belong to our trade with Palestine."

HOW DOES THE TURKEY-PALESTINE BILATERAL TRADE MECHANISM WORK?

Pointing out that Palestine imports approximately 25% of its goods indirectly or directly from Turkey each year, Bolat noted that in 2024, exports to Palestine have started to be entered into the statistical system with their own code, and previously registered Palestinian purchases that were recorded as Israeli are now being registered in the country's statistical system with Palestine's own code.

Bolat provided information that in the Turkey-Palestine bilateral trade mechanism, which has been 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 the Ministry, the registration processes for the shipments are carried out. In this context, for shipments declared to be going to Palestine in export declarations, Palestinian importing companies primarily apply to the Palestinian National Economy Ministry, and if this application is deemed appropriate, the confirmation letter issued by the Palestinian National Economy Ministry is sent to our electronic confirmation channel. The registration of customs declarations related to the notified exports is only permitted if the confirmation letter has been received during this process and has been approved after evaluations regarding the products.

"TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PALESTINE"

Bolat stated that for imports from Palestine to Turkey, if the export application of Palestinian exporters is deemed appropriate by the Palestinian National Economy Ministry, it is confirmed after it is sent to Turkey and the proof that the country of origin is Palestine is approved.

Additionally, Bolat noted that imports and exports to Palestine from Free Zones and warehouses can also be completed after confirmation under the same electronic approval mechanism, stating, "Our country will continue to meet the needs of the oppressed Palestinian people and to support them economically in their just cause."