Data suggest Turkish goods find their way to Israel via Palestine amid trade ban

Data released by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) shows a dramatic 1,113 percent rise in exports to Palestine in September 2024 compared to the same month last year, leading to speculation that Turkish goods may still be reaching Israel despite a government-imposed trade ban.

The August 2024 data from TİM showed a similar pattern, with exports to Palestine rising by over 1,150 percent, further fueling speculation that Turkish goods were being funneled to Israel through the Palestinian territories.

In May 2024 the Turkish government announced a halt in exports to Israel after a public outcry over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which Turkey condemned. However, while official data shows a near cessation of direct exports to Israel, trade with Palestine has surged to unprecedented levels, raising questions about whether goods are being rerouted to Israel.

According to TİM’s data, Turkish exports to Israel plummeted by 100 percent in September, with the value of goods sent to Israel falling from $460.3 million in September 2023 to just $1,200 in September 2024. Year-to-date figures show a 65.3 percent drop in exports to Israel, from $4.07 billion in the first nine months of 2023 to $1.41 billion during the same period in 2024.

In contrast, Turkish exports to Palestine have surged by more than 1,000 percent in the same period. In September 2024 alone, Turkey exported $167.7 million worth of goods to Palestine, compared to $13.8 million in September 2023 — a 1,113 percent increase. Year-to-date exports to Palestine rose from $91.3 million in 2023 to $571.2 million in 2024, a 525.8 percent jump.

This drastic increase in trade with Palestine, particularly in sectors such as steel, cement, textiles and electronics, has led to speculation that Turkish goods may be entering Israel under the guise of exports to Palestine. Palestine, with its limited infrastructure and economy, would struggle to absorb such large quantities of goods, fueling suspicions that most of these exports are being rerouted to Israel.

Critics have voiced concern that the trade ban is being circumvented. They argue that Israel’s control over Palestine’s customs and border checkpoints gives it the ability to receive goods intended for the Palestinian market. With all goods entering Palestine subject to Israeli customs, the theory that exports to Palestine are being redirected to Israel has gained traction.

Despite the suspicions, Turkish government officials have not directly addressed the issue. Instead, they have emphasized the nation’s support for Palestine, citing humanitarian reasons for the increased trade.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, often criticizing Israel’s actions in the region. Despite this, the economic relationship between Turkey and Israel has remained significant, with bilateral trade reaching $6.3 billion in 2023.

The Gaza Strip is suffering a humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s military campaign against Hamas that has been going on since October 7, with the United Nations and aid agencies warning of impending famine.

On October 7 Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel that resulted in the death of roughly 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and some 250 people taken hostage.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive against Hamas has killed at least 40,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry, and has devastated the Gaza Strip.

Turkey is one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s war on Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of committing “war crimes” and “genocide” in the enclave. In early May Turkey’s Trade Ministry announced that it was suspending all trade with Israel until it allows aid to enter Gaza unhindered during its offensive against Hamas militants.

Turkey’s trade move against Israel followed domestic attacks on the government for failing to cut off trade sooner.