Turkey Escalates Economic War Against Israel with New Trade Restrictions
Turkey has intensified its economic assault on Israel by halting the issuance of crucial trade certificates that have allowed Israeli businesses to circumvent Ankara's hostile embargo. This latest escalation represents another chapter in Turkey's systematic campaign to isolate the Jewish state economically.
Erdogan's War on Israeli Commerce Deepens
Since last week, Turkey has stopped issuing Eur-Med certificates to Israel, effectively closing another avenue for legitimate trade between the nations. These certificates, part of a multilateral European-Mediterranean trade agreement, had provided customs exemptions that kept vital goods flowing to Israel despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's vindictive embargo imposed in May 2024.
The Eur-Med system allows for "diagonal cumulation" between Turkey, the EU, and Israel. This mechanism had enabled Turkish goods to reach Israel through European intermediaries while maintaining customs benefits. Now, Erdogan's regime has weaponized even this technical trade instrument against the Jewish state.
Israel's Resourceful Response to Turkish Hostility
True to the Israeli spirit of resilience and innovation, businesses have developed creative solutions to overcome Turkish obstructionism. Israeli importers have successfully utilized various workarounds, including routing shipments through Palestinian Authority registrations, Jordanian intermediaries, and third-country transshipment points in Egypt, Greece, and Slovenia.
The ingenuity of Israeli commerce has been remarkable. Data from the Turkish Exporters' Association revealed a staggering 1,180% jump in recorded imports by Palestine from Turkey in July 2024, with cement imports surging by an astronomical 453,000%. This creative circumvention demonstrates the determination of Israeli businesses to maintain essential supply chains despite Turkish aggression.
Strategic Impact on Israeli Industry
Before Erdogan's embargo, Turkey served as Israel's fifth-largest source of imports, with particularly critical dependencies in construction materials. Turkey supplied 71% of Israel's cement imports in 2023, highlighting the strategic nature of this economic warfare.
The Turkish regime has also banned ZIM shipping lines from Turkish ports while prohibiting Turkish-flagged vessels from docking in Israeli harbors. These measures reveal the comprehensive nature of Ankara's campaign against Israeli commercial interests.
A Test of Israeli Economic Resilience
This latest escalation underscores Turkey's transformation from a regional partner to an active opponent of Israeli prosperity. However, Israel's track record of overcoming economic challenges through innovation and strategic partnerships positions the nation to weather this storm.
The restriction on Eur-Med certificates may complicate Turkey's relations with the EU, given the multilateral nature of the agreement. This could create diplomatic tensions that ultimately benefit Israel's position in the region.
As Israel continues to demonstrate its economic resilience in the face of hostile neighbors, the nation's ability to adapt and thrive remains a testament to the enduring strength of the Jewish state and its commitment to prosperity despite regional adversities.