Erdoan denies continuing trade with Israel amid growing protests

President Recep Tayyip Erdoan has denied accusations of ongoing trade with Israel, rejecting recent claims that came amid escalating protests over Turkey's alleged hypocrisy over its stance on Israeli action in Gaza, said the presidential communications office. reported Wednesday.

The Turkish government, which is an open critic of Israeli actions in Gaza, has been harshly criticized and accused of hypocrisy for allegedly allowing Azerbaijani crude oil to be transported to Israel from Ceyhan via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as well as the continued exports to Israel. under the guise of exports to the Palestinian Authority, despite Turkey's trade ban on Israel in May over war crimes it claims Israel is committing in Gaza.

Following growing criticism and calls for protests over reports that Azerbaijani oil reached Israel from Turkish ports this week, Erdoan addressed the issue upon his return from diplomatic visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.

According to the official Anadolu news agency, Turkey's Energy Ministry categorically denied the allegations on Monday, calling them completely unfounded.

The ministry's written statement claims that no shipments from Ceyhan Port have been directed to Israel, in accordance with Turkey's May 2024 trade ban on Israel.

Despite these denials, investigative journalist Metin Cihan argued that the statement did not address potential oil flows from other Turkish ports, such as Aliaa and Zmit. He cited publicly available sources indicating that Turkey could still facilitate oil deliveries to Israel from these locations, raising concerns about the government's sincerity. Cihan alleged that Azerbaijani oil companies, including SOCAR, Azerbaijan's national oil company, which is Israel's largest supplier, could transfer oil to Israel through these alternative ports.

On He criticized the government for allegedly using vague language, noting that the ministry's statement avoided categorically denying all oil shipments from Turkish ports to Israel.

Alongside Cihan's remarks, prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg added her voice to the growing protests, calling for international action against Turkish and Azerbaijani oil flows to Israel. Thunberg, echoing the concerns of pro-Palestinian groups, described Turkey and Azerbaijan as complicit in the genocide in Gaza and called for protests at Turkish and Azerbaijani embassies around the world.

In response to these developments, Erdoan defended Turkey's position on Israel, saying the country had taken the most concrete measures against Israel, including stopping all trade. He rejected accusations of hypocrisy, saying Turkey does not maintain relations with Israel.

Erdoan said Turkey was determined to maintain pressure on Israel, both diplomatically and economically. Contrary to Erdoans' claims, Turkey maintains diplomatic relations with Israel.

Erdoan also reiterated that Turkey had led United Nations efforts to block arms shipments to Israel and had won the support of more than 50 countries and two international organizations.

Erdoan, responding to reporters aboard his return flight, stressed that Turkey is the leading country in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. He said Turkey's position had been welcomed around the world. The president stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a consistent delivery of humanitarian aid.

Erdoan's government has been criticized for blocking the departure of two ships from Turkish and international humanitarian groups aiming to deliver aid to the Palestinian enclave of Gaza since early August, due to Israeli pressure and bureaucratic obstacles. set up by the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications.

The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade for 17 years.

Many question Erdoan's sincerity and commitment to easing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, given ongoing developments.

Dismissing recent reports suggesting that Turkish oil trade with Israel remains active, Erdoan called the allegations the dirtiest aspect of politics. He accused opposition figures and critics of trying to undermine Turkey's efforts to support Palestine and claimed the People's Alliance government was determined to cut ties with Israel.

In his statements, Erdoan called the accusations a political attack, suggesting that they were attempts to tarnish his government's position on Israel and Palestine. He pledged to continue seeking justice for actions taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration, calling them oppressors.

Erdoan also denounced those he called slanderers working under Israel's influence, saying his administration was unaffected by their criticism. He expressed confidence that Turkey's position would continue to resonate with Turkish public opinion, as well as the international community as a whole. He noted that Turkey's efforts have received global recognition and reaffirmed its dedication to the Palestinian cause.

Turkish companies have regularly been accused of circumventing a government-imposed trade ban on Israel by routing their exports to Palestine.

In May, Turkey officially cut off all direct trade with Israel in response to growing domestic criticism over Israeli military actions in Gaza. However, data indicates that goods previously destined for Israel are now transiting through the Palestinian territories. Turkish companies are reportedly using PA customs to facilitate trade as officials struggle to control the final destination of exports once they enter Palestine.

Erdoan has positioned himself as a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, often criticizing Israel's actions in the region. Despite this, economic relations between Turkey and Israel have remained significant, with bilateral trade reaching $6.3 billion in 2023.