President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has denied accusations of ongoing trade with Israel, dismissing recent claims coming amid escalating protests against Turkey’s alleged hypocrisy regarding its stance on Israeli action in Gaza, the presidency’s communications office reported on Wednesday.
The Turkish government, an outspoken critic of Israeli actions in Gaza, has been harshly criticized and accused of hypocrisy for allegedly allowing the flow of Azerbaijani crude oil to Israel from Ceyhan through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, as well as continuing exports to Israel under the guise of exports to Palestinian Authority, despite a trade ban Turkey imposed on Israel in May due to “war crimes” it claims Israel is committing in Gaza.
Following mounting criticism and calls for protest over reports of Azerbaijani oil reaching Israel from Turkish ports this week, Erdoğan addressed the issue upon his return from diplomatic visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the Turkish Energy Ministry categorically denied the allegations on Monday, calling them “completely baseless.”
The ministry’s written statement claimed that no shipments from the port of Ceyhan 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 failed to address potential oil flows from other Turkish ports, such as Aliağa and İzmit. He cited publicly available sources, indicating that Turkey may still be facilitating oil deliveries to Israel from these locations, raising concerns over the government’s sincerity. Cihan alleged that Azerbaijani oil companies, including SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, which is Israel’s largest supplier, may be transferring oil to Israel through these alternative ports.
On X, Cihan pointed to Turkey’s commission on oil shipped through the Ceyhan port, suggesting that these operations benefit Turkey financially despite its trade ban with Israel. He criticized the government for allegedly using vague language, noting that the ministry’s statement avoided an outright denial of all oil shipments from Turkish ports to Israel.
In tandem with 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 concerns from pro-Palestinian groups, described Turkey and Azerbaijan as “complicit” in the “genocide” in Gaza and urged protests at Turkish and Azerbaijani embassies worldwide.
In response to these developments, Erdoğan defended Turkey’s position on Israel, saying the country has taken “the most concrete actions” against Israel, including halting all trade. He dismissed accusations of hypocrisy, asserting that Turkey does not maintain relations with Israel.
Erdoğan claimed that Turkey is committed to keeping pressure on Israel, both diplomatically and economically. Contrary to Erdoğan’s claims, Turkey maintains diplomatic ties with Israel.
Erdoğan also reiterated that Turkey has led efforts in the United Nations to block arms shipments to Israel and has garnered the support of over 50 countries and two international organizations.
Erdoğan, responding to journalists aboard his return flight, emphasized that Turkey is the “leading country” in humanitarian assistance to Gaza. He claimed that Turkey’s stance has been praised globally. The president stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and consistent delivery of humanitarian aid.
Erdoğan’s government drew criticism for blocking the departure of two ships of 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 put in place by the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications.
The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade for 17 years.
Many question the sincerity of Erdoğan and his government’s commitment to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, given the ongoing developments.
Dismissing recent reports suggesting that Turkish oil trade with Israel remains active, Erdoğan called the allegations “the dirtiest side of politics.” He accused opposition figures and detractors of attempting to undermine Turkey’s efforts to support Palestine and asserted that the People’s Alliance government is “firm on cutting ties with Israel.”
In his statements, Erdoğan framed the accusations as a political attack, suggesting that they are attempts to tarnish his administration’s stance on Israel and Palestine. He vowed to continue “seeking justice” for actions taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration, calling them “oppressors.”
Erdoğan also called out those he described as “slanderers” working under Israel’s influence, saying that his administration remains unaffected by their criticism. He expressed confidence that Turkey’s position would continue to resonate with the Turkish public, as well as with the broader international community. He noted that Turkey’s efforts have received worldwide recognition and reaffirmed Turkey’s dedication to Palestine’s cause.
Turkish businesses have been regularly accused of bypassing a government-imposed trade ban on Israel by routing exports through Palestine.
In May, Turkey officially halted all direct trade with Israel in response to mounting domestic criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. However, data indicate that goods previously destined for Israel are now being routed through Palestinian territories. Turkish businesses are reportedly using Palestinian Authority customs to facilitate trade as officials struggle to monitor the final destination of exports once they enter Palestine.
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.