Israeli shipments flow from Turkey despite cut in ties

ANKARA, Sept. 17 (YPA) – Despite Turkey’s official announcement that it was severing trade relations with “Israel”, reports reveal that Israeli shipments continue to flow through an alternative route via Greece.

According to data from the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel’s imports from Turkey totaled 1.9 billion shekels between January and July 2025.

While this represents a 67% decrease compared to the same period last year, Eran Seeb, head of the Renovators’ Association, insists the volume remains substantial. He noted that about 1,500 containers of construction materials, such as stone and marble, are still entering Israel monthly from Turkey.

The circumvention of the trade ban involves transferring shipments to Greece, where shipping documents are then replaced to make the goods appear as if they are from a Greek supplier.

Experts point out that Turkey is one of the largest suppliers of raw materials to Israel, and the disruption of direct trade has created a market vacuum, prompting Israeli companies to seek alternative solutions.

YPA