• Joins South Africa in case against Israel
In the second phase of restrictive measures, Türkiye suspended all export and import operations with Israel due to its “aggression against Palestine in violation of international law and human rights,” the Turkish Trade Ministry announced late Thursday.
Previously, Türkiye restricted 54 product categories’ exports to Israel on April 9, the ministry recalled, saying that despite this measure it is observed that the Israeli government continued its aggressive stance and the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine has worsened.
Nearly 35,000 Palestinian civilians, including 15,000 children, have lost their lives and approximately 78,000 Palestinian citizens have been injured as a result of Israel’s attacks against Palestine in violation of international law and human rights, the ministry stated.
It said since Oct. 7, 2023, Türkiye has taken initiatives at the highest level and used all the tools of diplomacy to stop the clashes, prevent humanitarian losses and physical destruction, ensure a permanent cease-fire, and realize a two-state solution.
“Since the first day, our country has rushed to the aid of the people of Gaza, delivered tens of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid to the region by ships and planes, especially food, health and medical aid materials, evacuated thousands of patients and stood by our Palestinian brothers and sisters in these difficult days,” the ministry said.
It added: “However, the massacre, humanitarian catastrophe and physical destruction caused by Israel continued, and the Israeli government ignored international ceasefire efforts and prevented humanitarian aid.”
Türkiye will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli government allows the uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, it noted.
The ministry also said necessary efforts are being coordinated between the Turkish Trade Ministry and the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy to ensure that “our Palestinian brothers and sisters who are forced to live under occupation are not affected by these restrictions.”
“The Republic of Türkiye will continue to support the deserving cause of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, as it has done until today,” it added.
Meanwhile, Türkiye will officially apply to be part of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly’s Justice Committee said Wednesday.
“After the decision to join (the case) is made by our esteemed President, we will submit our official application following legal work. As we have done until today, we will continue our efforts with determination to ensure the condemnation of Israel, which has been condemned by the conscience of humanity, and also in the eyes of the law,” said Cuneyt Yuksel in a written statement.
Pointing to Israel’s 75 years of “apartheid,” 56 years of “occupation” and 16-year siege aimed at the colonization and annexation of Palestinian territories, Yuksel said “the Palestinian issue, envisaged to be based on the rule of law and international law, is a matter that could even affect the sustainability of the current international order and lead to global consequences.”
He said that Israel blatantly violates the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Emphasizing that international law must be applied equally to everyone without any exceptions or privileges under any circumstances, Yuksel expressed his belief that the ICJ would act in accordance with this principle.
He said they expect the world court to reveal the genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by Israel and to promptly initiate the adjudication process.
Türkiye’s foreign minister confirmed the plans.
“Türkiye has decided to seek to join in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the ICJ,” Hakan Fidan told a joint news conference alongside his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.
“With this step, we hope that the process in front of the ICJ will progress in the right direction,” Fidan added.
