ISTANBUL, Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday said his move to halt trade with Israel was designed to force the country to a ceasefire in Gaza Strip.
The decision announced by president Erdogan on Thursday is the latest indication of deteriorating relations between Turkey and Israel.
Talking to a group of businessmen in Istanbul, Erdogan said, “We have taken some measures to force Israel to agree to a ceasefire and increase the amount of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.”
He said they will oversee the consequences of the decision they have taken in coordination and consultation with the business world.
Back in April, Turkey announced it was restricting exports to Israel, covering 54 products from steel to jet fuel. It is one of the few Muslim-majority nations to recognise Israel.
Justifying his decision, president Erdogan Friday said that they do not run after hostility or conflict in their region. “We do not want to see conflict, blood or tears in our geography. “We know now that we did the right thing.”
The Gaza Strip is suffering a humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s war against Hamas since October 7, with the UN and aid agencies warning of looming famine.
