"Erdogan is doing – Israel is slouching": the firm response demanded in the business sector

The report published this evening (Thursday) that the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has decided to stop all trade with Israel , which includes all import and export activities to the country, caused great anger among businessmen in Israel.

Shay Hajaj, chairman of the regional government center and head of the Merhavim regional council, said: "We have warned time and time again. Israel must be independent in producing fresh food and must not be dependent on other countries. The finance policy, unfortunately, was and still is to encourage imports, which – did not lower prices – but harmed agriculture. The importation of tomatoes from Turkey – harmed the farmers surrounding Gaza, who are responsible for growing 70% of the tomato production in Israel. and now this It is unpleasant to say: we warned you!'

The President of the Association of Manufacturers Dr. Ron Tomer added: "Already a month ago we asked the Ministries of Finance and Economy to respond with the threat and then the implementation of the imposition of protective tariffs against Turkey of 100% to signal both to Erdogan and to the world that Israel will not sit quietly on a boycott against it. Beyond the laziness and the loss of national honor – we have lost an important message to all those who seek to boycott us – that we will not accept it and every boycotter will be punished back.

"Better late than never – protective tariffs of 100% for three years should be imposed right now on all imports from Turkey and for certain products imports from there should be completely banned. That's the only way Erdogan will understand that he can't play with us and that his step will lead to a long-term reaction. This will also allow quite a few local manufacturers who are willing to invest and establish additional production lines in Israel to maintain their productive independence because there is a future for local procurement from them. It is also time to strengthen our productive independence in the field of food and construction – the state must do everything in its power to encourage the establishment and expansion of food and construction factories that will increase the amount of food and construction materials produced in Israel in order to break away from dependence on Turkey.