Turkey Imposes Maritime Ban on Israel Amid Gaza War

The Turkish government has introduced sweeping maritime restrictions on Israel, escalating its sanctions in response to the war in Gaza. Officials describe the measure as a “full ban on maritime traffic connected to Israel”, prohibiting both Israeli-owned and Israel-flagged vessels from entering Turkish ports, while simultaneously blocking Turkey-flagged ships from docking in Israel.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the decision as part of what he called “a new sanction” targeting Israel. He framed the move as a direct response to what Ankara sees as Tel Aviv’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

Restrictions Communicated Informally

Despite the bold declaration, Turkey has not yet published a formal decree codifying the ban. Instead, the new policy has so far been communicated verbally through local port authorities.

According to media reports, shipping agents have been instructed to provide assurance letters verifying that any vessel entering or leaving a Turkish port has no ties to Israel. These letters must also confirm that cargo does not include restricted categories such as military equipment, explosives, or radioactive material.

A maritime source told Reuters that “vessels arriving directly from Israel or departing to Israeli ports would no longer be permitted to dock at Turkish ports.” The restriction applies in both directions, with Turkish-flagged ships now explicitly barred from calling at Israeli harbors.

First Practical Impact: Cargo Ship Diverted

The ban is already producing tangible effects. On August 22, a container ship operated by ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., Israel’s largest shipping company, was denied entry to Istanbul’s port despite carrying cargo bound for Turkey. The vessel was forced to reroute to Piraeus in Greece, highlighting the immediate disruptions triggered by Ankara’s enforcement.

As reported by Israeli business outlet Globes, Ankara is applying the policy broadly:

“Ships with Israeli flags or those owned by Israelis are prohibited from docking in Turkey, while ships with Turkish flags are prohibited from docking in Israel.”

Building on Earlier Trade Sanctions

The maritime restrictions come on the heels of earlier economic sanctions imposed by Turkey against Israel. In April 2024, Ankara prohibited exports of 54 product categories to Israel, a move justified as leverage to pressure Tel Aviv into agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.

By May 2024, Turkey expanded its measures further, formally suspending $7 billion worth of annual bilateral trade. The Ministry of Trade said the escalation followed Israel’s refusal to allow Turkey to conduct humanitarian airdrops over Gaza.

These trade halts represented the most severe breakdown in Turkey–Israel economic relations in decades. They also marked a sharp contrast to the policies of neighboring Jordan, which—while critical of Israel’s actions—continued limited coordination with Western partners to deliver humanitarian aid.

Turkey’s Independent Approach to Gaza Aid

Turkey has consistently rejected Western frameworks for Gaza relief operations. Unlike Jordan, Ankara refused to permit the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to coordinate humanitarian missions from its territory.

Instead, President Erdoğan pledged to dispatch a Turkish-led aid flotilla directly to Gaza, despite the enclave being under Hamas control. Such a move risked direct confrontation with the Israeli Navy, underscoring the geopolitical tension surrounding Ankara’s approach.

Following Turkey’s earlier suspension of trade, then–Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Ankara of violating international obligations:

“Turkey is breaching existing trade agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports.”

Israel’s Silence So Far

Interestingly, the Israeli government has yet to issue an official response to Ankara’s latest decision to enforce a maritime ban. Analysts note that Israel may be weighing its options, given that trade relations had already been largely curtailed since Turkey’s May suspension of commerce.

Nonetheless, shipping experts warn that Ankara’s newest restrictions could reorder regional logistics networks, forcing Israeli firms to reroute goods via third-party countries such as Greece or Cyprus. These adjustments may increase costs and add transit delays for businesses reliant on maritime supply chains.

Broader Implications

Turkey’s escalation highlights the role of economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy. The maritime ban reflects Ankara’s determination to leverage its geographical position and control over regional trade routes to pressure Israel during the Gaza conflict.

The restrictions also carry broader consequences:

• Logistical disruptions in Eastern Mediterranean shipping.

• Rising costs for Israeli exporters and importers forced to reroute cargo.

• Potential diplomatic fallout within NATO, as allies balance relations with both Ankara and Jerusalem.

At the same time, Turkey’s measures resonate domestically, aligning with Erdoğan’s political strategy of portraying Ankara as a leading advocate for Palestinians. Whether these sanctions will influence Israel’s military posture in Gaza, however, remains highly uncertain.

For now, Turkey has drawn a clear line: Israeli ships will not dock in its ports, and Turkish vessels will not sail to Israel.