Türkiye Rejects Allegations of Cooperation with Israel, Reaffirms Support for Palestine
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Türkiye has firmly dismissed allegations of cooperation with Israel, particularly in defense-related matters, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense categorically refuted any suggestion of collaboration with Israel that could compromise the interests of Palestinians. “It is not possible for the Republic of Türkiye, which has always supported Palestine, to carry out or engage in any activity that would harm Palestinians,” the ministry asserted.
Addressing false claims propagated by certain media outlets, the ministry clarified that Türkiye has no involvement in military training, joint exercises, or defense industry partnerships with Israel.
Furthermore, the Turkish Communications Directorate’s Center for Countering Disinformation conducted an extensive review of social media posts and invalidated the allegations. The Center emphasized that the products listed in purported export documents, particularly in Chapter 93, comprised rifle spare parts, accessories, and fishing equipment intended for individual purposes such as sports and hunting.
Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) corroborated Türkiye’s stance, revealing a lack of exports of rifles for sports and hunting since May 2023, with minimal figures even prior to this period.
Regarding items listed under “Gunpowder and explosives, pyrotechnic products, matches, pyrophoric alloys, combustible preparations” in Chapter 36, the Center clarified that these included innocuous products such as gel fuel and lighter fluid.
The Center cautioned against attempts to manipulate public opinion by misrepresenting the nature of exported goods listed in the Customs Tariff. It emphasized that private companies, not the government, were responsible for these exports.
Türkiye’s unwavering support for Palestine predates and transcends recent events, including the Israeli war on besieged Gaza. Throughout its history, Türkiye has consistently stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people, advocating for their rights and condemning actions that threaten their well-being.
As Türkiye reaffirms its principled stance on the Palestinian cause, it remains committed to fostering peace and stability in the region.
