Turkey Israel’s 5th Largest Goods Supplier Despite Anti-Israel Rhetoric

According to UN Comtrade data, Turkey was Israel’s fifth-largest goods supplier in 2024, exporting $2.86 billion worth of goods, making it the only Muslim-majority country among Israel’s top 15 trading partners.

Contradictions in Turkey’s Stance

In May 2024, Erdogan’s government claimed to have halted all direct trade with Israel amid domestic pressure.

. Erdogan has repeatedly accused israel of “genocidal behavior”, comparing Netanyahu’s policies to Nazi Germany.

. However, UN records expose ongoing trade ties.

Turkey’s Denial & Hidden Trade Routes

. Turkey’s Ministry of Trade dismissed UN data as “completely false”, claiming pre-sanction exports (Jan-Apr 2024) totalled $1.522 billion (including Palestinian territories).

. Ankara criticised “misleading media narratives” allegedly distorting its “firm anti-Israel stance”, citing a $7 billion voluntary trade reduction from 2022’s $9.5 billion volume.

Evidence of Sanctions Evasion

Despite denials, reports from:
✔ Turkish Exporters ‘ Association (TİM)
✔ Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS)
reveal trade continues via:

1. Greece
Turkish exports surged 71% (May 2024), reaching $375 million.

2. Palestinian Territories
Exports spiked 423% (early 2024), including steel shipments likely used in Israeli arms production.
Goods marked for Palestine were rerouted to Israeli ports like Ashdod via Palestinian intermediaries.
Some Israeli firms established Palestinian shell companies to facilitate deals.

3. Oil Shipments
The “Stop Fuelling Genocide” campaign tracked 10 crude oil shipments from Turkey to Israel in 2024, violating Ankara’s own sanctions.

Satellite/transport data confirmed Azeri crude (via Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, a key israeli supply route) was refined in israel for military equipment fuel.

While Turkey publicly condemns Israel, its trade data reveals ongoing economic ties through third-party loopholes and shadow networks.

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