Turkey has tightened its embargo on Israel by barring Israeli-owned or associated vessels from docking at any Turkish port and prohibiting Turkish-flagged ships from visiting Israel, according to officials cited by Reuters, Bloomberg and Middle East Eye. Port agents have been told to submit written assurances that ships have no Israeli links and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for Israel. The move seeks to close loopholes that had allowed limited trade to continue through third countries despite the formal suspension of the two nations’ annual US$8 billion commerce in May 2024. Ankara said the restrictions fulfil commitments it assumed last month when it became the first state to endorse the Hague Group’s Bogota declaration, which calls for coordinated sanctions on Israel over the Gaza war. The declaration urges signatories to halt defense exports, block Israeli vessels and prevent dual-use goods from reaching Israel. Turkish officials added that further measures—including curbs on public contracts with Israeli companies—remain under review. Separately, organisers of the Netherlands’ largest military exhibition, NEDS 2025, said they have barred Israel’s leading defence contractors, including IAI, Elbit Systems and Rafael, from the November show in Rotterdam. The decision, described by the organisers as reflecting a policy shift, underscores the widening international backlash against Israel’s military campaign.
BREAKING 🇹🇷🇵🇸 Türkiye is set to block all Israel-linked ships from its ports after signing onto The Hague Group’s Bogotá commitments, "to ensure that territorial waters do not serve as conduits for genocide." Read more via @MiddleEastEye ⤵️ 🔗 https://t.co/DMjzEckQ1K
BREAKING: Türkiye bars Israel-linked shipping, the latest in countries' enforcing Hague Group commitments. https://t.co/sVwOFNfT73
Turkey expanded restrictions on shipping between its ports and Israel, seeking to further tighten compliance with a trade ban imposed over the war in Gaza https://t.co/TWqOaXqMzR