Three protesters were detained on Saturday in Bursa, western Turkey, for calling for an end to the country’s trade with Israel amid the war in Gaza, during a public event attended by high-level government officials.
The detention of the three protesters has bought Turkey’s continued maritime trade with Israel to the forefront of national debate. The arrests occurred after citizens expressed dissent at a public event attended by Urban Planning Minister Mehmet Özhaseki and former Industry Minister Mustafa Varank.
The protesters called to “Stop the ships, don’t embarrass the people”, representing a growing public outcry against Turkey’s trade ties with Israel while the latter continues military operations in Gaza.
This incident lies in a broader context of escalating Israeli violence in Gaza, where the Netanyahu government’s actions have resulted in over 31,000 deaths since 7 October. Despite international condemnation of these operations, Turkey’s trade with Israel, particularly in agricultural exports, has seen a notable increase. In February, trade between the two nations grew by 20%, reaching $422 million. Such figures have exacerbated public discontent in Turkey, leading to increased calls for action against Israel.
Protesters at the event were unequivocal in their condemnation, stating, “The government should listen to the people. End trade with Israel. We are ashamed of this situation.” Despite these strong sentiments, the response from the attending officials was to maintain silence, and the arrest of protesters has only intensified the debate over the country’s stance on Gaza.
