On August 29, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the suspension of all economic and trade relations with Israel, as well as the closure of Turkish airspace to Israeli aircraft. Fidan made this announcement during a speech at the UN General Assembly, which heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel. This decision was driven by Turkey’s response to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Hakan Fidan confirmed that Turkey has completely severed commercial ties with Israel, halting all exports and imports. Additionally, the country has barred Israeli aircraft from its airspace, a move that disrupts regional aviation routes. Fidan accused Israel of “massacres” in Gaza, claiming its policies block humanitarian aid and threaten regional stability. According to Israel National News, this decision reflects Turkey’s stance against what it views as ongoing violations in Gaza.
⚡️🇹🇷🇮🇱BREAKING:
Turkey cuts all trade with Israel, no longer allows Turkish ships to go to Israeli ports and has closed its airspace to Israeli aircraft, says Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan pic.twitter.com/0uU2W02MGC
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) August 29, 2025Turkey’s actions follow a series of strained relations with Israel. For instance, in May 2024, Turkey suspended trade until Israel allowed uninterrupted humanitarian aid into Gaza, per The New York Times. The 2025 escalation builds on this, with Fidan criticising Israel’s military operations. Turkey also joined 52 countries in a UN initiative to halt arms shipments to Israel, signalling broader diplomatic efforts.
The airspace closure adds to earlier restrictions, including Turkey’s denial of flyover permission for Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s plane in November 2024. These actions reflect Turkey’s strong support for Palestine, which is championed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has referred to Israel as a “terrorist state.”
Economic and Diplomatic Impact
Turkey’s trade suspension significantly impacts bilateral commerce, with $5.4 billion in exports to Israel in 2023, according to UN data. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded by planning alternative trade routes, focusing on local production and other markets, according to The Times of Israel. The airspace ban complicates Israeli aviation, forcing rerouting through other countries.
Diplomatically, the move strains Turkey-Israel relations further, despite ongoing deconfliction talks in Syria, per Reuters. Turkey’s alignment with anti-Israel states, including joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, underscores its position.
The suspension could impact regional stability, as Fidan cautioned that Israel’s actions threaten the Middle East. Turkey’s efforts to pursue Palestinian recognition at the UN, emphasised during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting, indicate a wider strategy. However, U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns about possible sanctions against Turkey for breaching trade agreements.
