Turkey to Completely Cut Off Trade with Israel, Closes Airspace

Ankara – August 29, 2025: Turkey has announced that it will completely end all trade and economic ties with Israel. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed the decision on Friday, saying that Ankara will also close its airspace to Israeli aircraft.

Turkey’s Decision at the UN

Mr. Fidan said Turkey has signed a UN-backed international initiative along with 52 countries, calling for a ban on supplying weapons and ammunition that “feed Israel’s war machine.”

The move marks one of the strongest steps Turkey has taken against Israel in recent years.

Airspace Closure and Travel Delays

The closure of Turkish airspace is expected to cause flight detours for Israeli airlines. Routes to countries like Georgia and Azerbaijan could take almost two extra hours because of the restrictions.

Trade Relations Already Strained

According to reports, Turkey’s annual trade with Israel was worth about $7 billion before Ankara moved to cut ties last year over the Gaza conflict. Turkish port authorities had already been informally asking shipping agents to provide written assurances that vessels were not linked to Israel and were not carrying military or hazardous cargo.

Shipping sources say these requirements were made verbally by harbor masters, with no official circular issued.

An Israeli official told local media that Turkey had announced similar steps in the past but trade continued anyway. This time, however, analysts believe the decision could have a long-term economic impact.

Wider Context

The decision comes amid growing international criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza. Turkey has been one of the most vocal countries calling for sanctions, arms bans, and stronger diplomatic measures.

With this latest step, Turkey is signaling its intent to take a leading role in international pressure on Israel.