Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday that T\u00fcrkiye has severed trade and diplomatic ties with Israel, stating there is no intention to resume relations amidst escalating tensions in Gaza.
“The government of the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye, headed by Erdogan, will not continue and develop its relations with Israel. We do not have such an intention,” Erdogan declared, as reported by the state-run TRT news agency.
Speaking to journalists aboard his flight from Azerbaijan to T\u00fcrkiye, Erdogan emphasized that Ankara has no current trade ties with Israel and no desire to re-establish them. “We have cut trade and ties with Israel, period,” he affirmed.
The Turkish government suspended trade with Israel in May in response to Israeli attacks on Gaza. Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling for a stronger international response to protect Palestinian civilians.
T\u00fcrkiye has long expressed support for Palestinians, with Erdogan frequently highlighting this as a cornerstone of his administration’s foreign policy. “Our stance on Palestine is clear and unwavering,” he has stated in previous remarks.
The deterioration of relations marks a significant moment in T\u00fcrkiye’s foreign policy, reflecting deepening regional tensions and the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
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Erdogan says Türkiye not intending to further develop ties with Israel
cgtn.com
