ANKARA, April 9. /TASS/. The Turkish Ministry of Trade has decided to impose restrictions on the export of 54 industrial goods to Israel from April 9 “until the end of hostilities in Gaza and the creation of conditions for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid” to the enclave.
The ministry’s published decision, in particular, states that restrictions have been imposed on various types of steel, aluminum, paint, electrical cables, aviation fuel, oils, fertilizers, and some types of industrial equipment.
The list of restrictions also includes cement, all types of iron and steel building materials, reinforcement, fiber optic cables, forklifts, excavators, granite, marble, insulating materials, metalworking equipment, machine tools, bricks and clinker, as well as chemicals used for metal processing.
“The decision is subject to immediate implementation. The restrictions imposed will remain in force until Israel, in line with its international obligations, declares an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and allows uninterrupted and sufficient aid supplies,” the ministry said in a statement. The ministry also recalls that three UN resolutions and one decision of the International Court of Justice have been adopted regarding the situation in Gaza, “which are binding on Israel.” The Commerce Ministry emphasized that the Jewish state continues to “grossly violate international law and ignores numerous calls from the international community for a ceasefire and uninterrupted humanitarian aid.” “Unfortunately, Israel has not implemented a single decision adopted in this context by the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice. In fact, Turkey has long prohibited the sale of any goods or services to Israel that could be used for military purposes,” the Turkish ministry said. The ministry also called on “all members of the international community to contribute to ensuring that Israel fulfills its obligations under international law.” On April 8, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that the republic’s authorities “have decided to introduce a number of new measures against Israel.” He explained that humanitarian aid had previously been delivered to Gaza via Jordan, dropped by parachute. Turkey, he said, had offered Jordan to join this work and deliver aid using its military transport aircraft. This proposal was positively received by the Jordanian authorities, but the Israeli side rejected the plan, which is probably what prompted the announcements about measures against Israel.