Turkey exported nearly $394 million worth of goods to Israel in the first five months of 2025, despite the government’s announcement last year of a full suspension of bilateral trade, according to data from the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
The Turkish government halted direct trade with Israel in May 2024 in response to growing domestic outrage over Israel’s military actions in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza. The decision followed weeks of public protests and sharp criticism from Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who accused Israel of “genocidal behavior” and likened the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to those of Nazi Germany.
Despite the embargo, Israeli trade data show continued Turkish exports in 2025, suggesting indirect trade may be ongoing. From January to May 2025, Turkey exported $393.7 million in goods to Israel. In comparison, Turkish exports totaled $1.4 billion in the same period of 2024, prior to the ban.
The figures have sparked further criticism of Erdoğan’s government for what opponents say is a disconnect between its harsh, anti-Israeli rhetoric and its economic activities.
Economist İnan Mutlu, who shared the Israeli data on X, wrote: “Rhetoric is just a show, trade is great,” stressing the perceived gap between official statements and trade realities.
The Turkish government argues that all trade with Israel ceased on May 2, 2024. However, the continued flow of goods raises questions about enforcement and possible loopholes. Reports suggest Turkish companies may be rerouting shipments through third countries or the Palestinian territories to bypass the embargo.
Data from the United Nations International Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), released in May also confirm the claims about continued trade activity with Israel. According to UN Comtrade, Turkey was Israel’s fifth-largest source of imports in 2024, with total exports valued at $2.86 billion. That ranked Turkey behind only China, the United States, Germany and Italy despite the trade ban.
Israel recorded $91.5 billion in imports and $61.7 billion in exports in 2024, official figures show.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 that resulted in the death of 1,206 people and the taking of some 250 hostages.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, the Israeli military has killed at least 56,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 133,000 since October 7, 2023.
A report released by Amnesty International on December 5 concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to genocide under international law — a characterization Israel has rejected.