Finally we have another country taking some economic actions to hold Israel accountable. Malaysia was the first to sanction Israel with a ban of all Israeli owned ships back in December. Turkey went further than Malaysia with a ban on exporting 54 categories of goods to Israel until a ceasefire is reached and humanitarian aid allowed. The biggest hit will be the refusal to sell jet fuel to Israel.
Much appreciation and admiration to all of the protesters in Turkey who have not let up on the pressure of their elected officials. It is because of protesters that Turkey is placing these trade restriction on Israel.
Protesting matters and is effective.
It seems like the support for Palestine has lost some voices and it is due to the media pushing the lie that Biden called for a ceasefire. Then there are the stories that Israel is opening up a water pipeline, opening more border crossings, allowing bakeries to reopen, and permitting more trucks to go through, some supporters have decided that things are fine and it is time to go back to regularly scheduled programming. This is not the time for our support for Palestine to wane over commitments that Israel has made but has yet to do. Israel has reduced their troops in Gaza but that is only because they fear Iran might strike Israel.
Netanyahu has promised to invade Rafah.
The IDF is still bombing Gaza.
Palestinians are still being shot, starved, and massacred.
Israel is still actively attacking Gaza.
Palestine needs your support and your unwavering voice. Not until there is a permanent ceasefire, aid crossing borders without restrictions, and a free Palestinian state in which Palestinians are in control, that is when we can rest. Palestinians will not be safe or free until they have their own sovereign state.
Turkey understands the assignment. Do not believe anything from Israel, look at their actions for the truth. Turkey asked to airdrop aid into Gaza and Israel refused. These export restrictions are a result of Israel’s flagrant disregard for international law and the pressure from Turkish protesters.
Because Turkey knows the games that Israel plays, they are not phased by these empty promises Israel has made to the world. A complete export embargo would have been a better choice because it would have ended trade with Israel, and more countries would then be emboldened to do the same and embargo Israel. There was a push for a complete embargo but this was the compromise from the Turkish government. 54 Categories of goods is still very significant and a hard-hitting restriction from Turkey.
What Turkey did is needed from every country especially as the UN Security Council is set to vote on Palestine’s entry into the UN. The more countries that are sanctioning and embargoing Israel, the less likely the US will veto Palestine’s UN membership. Of course it would be much more direct and impactful if countries also embargo and sanction the US for arming Israel and shielding Israel from accountability.
Embargo Israel
Sanction Israel
Embargo the US
Sanction the US
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
Protest
Disrupt everything
Boycott
BE UNGOVERNABLE
Donate
Please extend your energy to other people and countries that are facing atrocities and genocide in Sudan, DRC, Haiti, West Papua, the Rohingyas, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.
Articles for reference. Please read and share.
Reuters: Turkey imposes export restrictions on Israel until Gaza ceasefire
CNN: Malaysia bans Israeli owned and linked shipping citing ‘cruelty against the Palestinians people’
Al Jazeera: As Palestine applies for full UN membership, what’s in the way?