October 7 has unleashed truth across the board. Israel has many economic friends, but for some, that’s the extent of the friendship. The latest news about Turkish-Israel bilateral trade relations is no surprise. Turkey after all, like Qatar, is a staunch Muslim Brotherhood supporter; Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Turkey’s President Erdogan has been hostile, threatening and characteristically ranting, calling on the “Islamic world to take action over Gaza,” declaring Israel “a threat to all humanity,” and insisting that “no nation is safe as long as Israel does not follow international law.” He also threatened Prime Minister Netanyahu that he “will meet Hitler’s fate,” and saying he will do “everything in its power to ensure those (Israeli) barbarians are brought to justice for crimes they committed.” Of course, he never mentions Hamas’ atrocities, nor the fact that Hamas is using the Palestinians as human shields, because Erdogan supports Hamas, martyrdom and jihad conquest overall. He aims for a revived Ottoman Empire.
“Israeli-Turkish trade on life support as relations hit bottom,” by Steven Scheer, Reuters, May 28, 2024:
JERUSALEM, May 27 (Reuters) – Israeli-Turkish trade has weathered many bilateral diplomatic storms over the decades and stayed on course, reaching billions of dollars a year, but Israelis fear it may not survive the latest rift over the war in Gaza.
Turkey this month halted all bilateral trade with Israel until the war ends and aid can flow unhindered into Gaza. Israel said Turkey’s move violated World Trade Organization rules.Israeli importers have scrambled to find alternative sources of key items ranging from cement to food and cars in response to Turkey’s decision, which economists say may lead to near-term shortages but is unlikely to dent Israel’s $500 billion economy.
“Turkey is a significant trade partner of Israel but we do not rely exclusively, or even remotely exclusively, on Turkey,” said Shmuel Abramzon, chief economist at Israel’s Finance Ministry, who now believes Israel’s 2024 economic growth will exceed his current 1.6% forecast.
“While some alternatives may introduce higher costs, we do not anticipate significant or persistent disruption to the Israeli economy by Turkey’s actions.”
Bilateral trade slid nearly 23% to $6.2 billion in 2023, Israeli government data shows, with Israeli imports accounting for around three quarters of that figure.
After Ankara’s move, several Turkish export companies told Reuters they were seeking ways of sending goods to Israel via third countries, but exporters and importers in both Turkey and Israel have since said there is no sign of this succeeding.
Trade officials say Greece, Italy and others are willing to fill the vacuum left by Turkey…
somehistory says
It’s too bad Israel is not self-sufficient
James Lincoln says
somehistory,
Yes, Israel has to become as self-sufficient as possible.
And they need to form more new trade and military alliances with nations – in addition to the United States.
OLD GUY says
Sadly thats true. It shouldn’t be, America should be Israels priority trading partner and supplier.
Brenrod says
to be self sufficient while constantly fighting wars one has to have an economy where the spoils of war are taken when won.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Israel needs squat from Turkey. They should be the ones to pull the plug on diplomatic relations: Turkey is about as hostile to Israel as Iran is
Ray Jarman says
As if Turkey does not have enough problems already, they are obliterating one of their primary sources of revenue. This used to be described as a cat cutting its tail off to spite its face.
I can remember when Turkey was a close friend of Israel under the Kemalist governments and I was informed by a close friend born in Turkey that I could no longer drive from Ankara to Diyarbakir as I used to do because of the lack of security. Erdogan has destroyed his nation all for the futile dream of recreating the Ottoman Empire. The voters in Turkey are even more stupid than the Democrats here in the US and that is saying a lot.
JimJFox says
Very well said! Ataturk is one of my heroes for his efforts to westernise Turkey, Erdogan just another Islamic moron elected by the ignorant eastern Turks.
I hoped to retire there pre-Erdogan, bought property, loved life there but then… Islam.
Ray Jarman says
Thanks for your reply and in the eighties, it would have been a nice place to retire, especially near Izmir or as I used to pick on my Turkish friends, Smyrna. There is so much history to explore but not until Erdogan government has been completely disposed.
Ade Fegan says
Shithole country
JimJFox says
WRONG! See my post. Fabulous country, shit house government.
JimJFox says
Ignorant comment.
DEIL says
YES
Brenrod says
Turkey harbors hamas terrorists and probably funds them and probably aids their military planning. I am concerned that the USA is allied with them in NATO. I am afraid that Turkey is unstable and can get the USA into a war via NATO.