UPDATE - Türkiye maintains trade ban on Israel, dismisses claims of policy shift

UPDATES HEADLINE, LEDE WITH ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS BY DISINFORMATION COMBAT CENTER

By Tuba Ongun, Gizem Nisa Cebi

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye’s trade minister and Disinformation Combat Center denied claims on Thursday that Ankara removed trade restrictions on Israel.

Israel's claims of Türkiye lifting its trade ban are "absolutely imaginary and have nothing to do with reality," Omer Bolat said on X.

On May 2, the Turkish Trade Ministry announced that Ankara suspended all export and import operations with Israel due to its "aggression against Palestine in violation of international law and human rights."

"We stand behind the decision we have taken as a government regarding trade with Israel. This decision remains valid," he wrote.

Türkiye's new measures will be implemented until the Israeli government stops its attacks on Gaza, and a permanent cease-fire and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza are ensured, Bolat added.

"The claim put forward by Israeli officials and appearing in press outlets, ‘Türkiye has lifted trade restrictions against Israel,’ is not accurate," the Disinformation Combat Center of the Turkish Presidency's Communications Directorate wrote on X.

Türkiye’s "decision to suspend trade with Israel remains valid until conditions are met, including cessation of Israeli attacks on Gaza, achieving a permanent cease-fire, and ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza," it said.

The statement noted Türkiye’s continued highest-level "political and diplomatic efforts against the massacre carried out by Israel against the innocent Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023."

"Such claims, aimed at manipulating the international public opinion, have no basis in reality," it added.