Turkey has officially severed diplomatic ties with Israel, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza as the primary reason for this decision. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the move during a press briefing following visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan.
Erdogan emphasized that Turkey would not pursue any further relations with Israel under the current circumstances, criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, which has seen a significant loss of Palestinian lives since early October.
Turkey’s decision also follows its push for a United Nations-backed arms embargo on Israel, gaining support from over 50 nations and two international bodies.
The recent tensions between the two countries, already strained by years of fluctuating relations, have been exacerbated by Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
While Turkey had imposed trade sanctions on Israel earlier in the year, some ambiguity remains regarding the complete cessation of existing trade ties. Israel has yet to issue a formal response to Erdogan’s announcement or provide clarity on the status of diplomatic relations from its side.
For more context on the evolving situation, you can read details from (middleeasteye) and (timesofisreal).
