Turkey completely cuts ties with Israel after Islamic clerics' fatwa

Yesterday, August 29, more than 150 scholars declared that it is obligatory for Muslim countries to immediately sever all ties with Israel.

After that, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that Turkey had completely suspended economic and trade relations with Israel and that the country's airlines had also been closed to them.

For reference, the total volume of economic relations between the two countries amounted to $7 billion in 2023. Of this, 70 percent, or $5.4 billion, accounted for Turkish exports. In 2024, the figure between the two countries decreased slightly and amounted to $6 billion.

The bulk of Turkey's exports are iron, steel, aluminum, and plastics. European cars and agricultural products assembled in Turkey are also exported to Israel.

Experts predict that losing a major trading partner like Turkey could seriously hurt the Israeli economy, as replacing Turkish products may not be easy for Israel, whose ports are empty.