Smotrich talks tough but Israel is in no hurry to sanction Turkey

The Israeli government is still discussing ways to impose heavy duty on Turkish products and impose a licensing protocol on their imports, three sources familiar with the issue told Middle East Eye, despite criticism from local businesses.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far right nationalist, said on Sunday that the tariff increase on imports from Turkey is a “suitable zionist answer” to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who halted bilateral trade in May until Israel approves a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza.

Smotrich said he would propose to the cabinet the cancellation of all reduced customs rates applicable to goods imported from Turkey under a 1996 free trade agreement, and impose additional duty at a rate of 100 percent of the value of any Turkish product.

Smotrich's proposal suggested that such a measure must remain in effect until Erdogan’s presidential term is completed.

Israeli media reports have indicated that discussions were also under way to force companies interested in importing Turkish goods to acquire licences from the government.

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