ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey introduced Friday it was closing its airspace to Israeli authorities planes and any cargo of arms for the Israeli navy whereas closing its ports to maritime commerce between third nations and Israel.
The announcement by International Minister Hakan Fidan got here on prime of a ban on direct commerce between Turkey and Israel introduced in Could of 2024.
“Now we have fully reduce off our commerce with Israel. Now we have closed our ports to Israeli ships,” Fidan advised a particular parliamentary debate on Gaza in Ankara. “We don’t enable container ships carrying weapons and ammunition to Israel to enter our ports, nor will we enable plane to enter our airspace.”
Ankara has been a harsh critic of Israeli assaults on Gaza, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly referring to Israel’s actions as genocide and likening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler.
Turkey severed direct trade ties with Israel in Could final 12 months, demanding a everlasting ceasefire and the quick entry of humanitarian assist to Gaza. In 2023 the 2 nations carried out $7 billion in commerce.
Turkish media reported final week {that a} ban on maritime visitors linked to Israel had been imposed, though there was no official assertion on the time.
Final November, Turkish authorities denied permission for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s aircraft to enter Turkey’s airspace for a visit to a world summit in Azerbaijan. “As Turkey, we now have to take a stance on sure points,” Erdogan later mentioned when requested concerning the incident.
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