Turkey has announced the closure of its ports and airspace to Israeli vessels and aircraft, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed these measures in a televised address to lawmakers, stating, “We have closed our ports to Israeli ships… We do not allow container ships carrying weapons and ammunition to Israel to enter our ports, nor do we allow their aircraft to enter our airspace.”
A diplomatic source clarified that the ban specifically targets “official” flights, emphasizing that Turkey’s airspace is closed to any aircraft transporting weapons to Israel. However, the exact timing of when these airspace restrictions took effect remains unclear.
This announcement follows a pattern of strained relations, notably when Turkey previously denied passage to the Israeli president’s plane in November, which disrupted his planned attendance at the COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan. Similarly, in May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was compelled to cancel a visit to Baku due to a similar refusal of overflight rights by Turkey.
Turkey has been vocally critical of Israel, particularly concerning its military actions in Gaza, accusing it of committing “genocide”—a characterization Israel vehemently disputes. In a previous statement from May of last year, Turkey indicated it would suspend all trade with Israel until it allowed unrestricted humanitarian aid flow.
The implications of the recent ban have been further underscored by communications from ZIM, Israel’s largest shipping company. ZIM disclosed that new regulations introduced by Ankara on August 22 prohibit vessels owned, managed, or operated by entities associated with Israel from docking in Turkish ports. The company also indicated that this regulation could adversely affect its financial and operational standings.
Moreover, the ban extends to any ships carrying military cargo bound for Israel, reinforcing Turkey’s stance against military cooperation with its neighbor. Fidan’s declarations represent a pivotal acknowledgment of these restrictions, signaling a notable shift in diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel.
