Turkey blocks Israeli ships, closes airspace for Israeli planes amid growing rift

Turkey has sharply escalated its stance against Israel by formally closing its airspace to Israeli aircraft and banning all maritime traffic linked to the country, in protest against Israel’s war in Gaza, as per a report. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the sweeping measures on Friday in Ankara during a special session of parliament debate on Israel over the war with Gaza, as per an AP report.

Turkey Escalates Measures Against Israel Over Gaza War

Fidan said that, “We have completely cut off our trade with Israel. We do not allow Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports. We do not allow their planes to enter our airspace,” as quoted in the report. He also added that, "We are not allowing container ships carrying weapons and ammunition to Israel to enter our ports, and airplanes to go into our airspace," as quoted by Reuters.

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Turkey Seeks Jordan’s Approval for Gaza Aid Airdrops

He also said that Turkey had presidential approval to carry out air drops of aid to Gaza, saying, "Our planes are ready, once Jordan gives its approval, we will be in a position to go," as quoted in the report.

Turkish Ports Quietly Enforced Israel Shipping Ban Before Official Statement

Insiders had told Reuters last week that Turkish port authorities had already started informally requiring shipping agents to provide letters declaring that vessels are not linked to Israel and not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for the country, as reported by Reuters. One Reuters source had also said that Turkish-flagged ships would be prohibited from calling at Israeli ports, according to the report.

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Turkish President Compares Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler, Calls Actions Genocide

Turkey has strongly criticised Israel's offensive in Gaza and accused it of committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave, however, Israel denies this charge, as reported by Reuters. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan had repeatedly called Israel’s actions genocide and compared Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler, as reported by AP.

$7 Billion Trade Relationship Collapses Amid Rising Tensions

This comes after Turkey already severed direct trade ties with Israel since May last year, and demanded a permanent ceasefire and the immediate entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to the AP report. While in 2023, the two countries carried out $7 billion in trade, as per the report.

FAQs

Why did Turkey ban Israeli planes from its airspace?
Turkey took this step as a protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which it has described as genocide, as per the AP report.

Will this affect aid to Gaza?
Turkey says no. In fact, it’s preparing to air-drop humanitarian aid into Gaza and is only waiting for Jordan’s approval to use its airspace, as per the Reuters report.