Türkiye's recent decision to suspend trade with Israel has reverberated across the Muslim world, with reports emerging that five Muslim-majority countries are considering not allowing ships carrying cargo to or from Israeli ports to dock at their shores.
The news, first reported by Yeni Şafak, indicates that Türkiye's bold move has become a model for other Muslim nations, with discussions taking place among leaders at the 15th Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in Banjul, the capital of Gambia.
Türkiye, which has taken numerous steps to halt the genocide perpetrated by Israel in Gaza and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, has become a source of inspiration for other countries.
The prospect of facing sanctions similar to those imposed by Türkiye has unsettled Israel, prompting at least five Muslim-majority nations to contemplate similar actions. These nations are considering not allowing ships carrying cargo to or from Israeli ports to dock at their shores.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which includes 57 member states, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, all of which share borders with Israel, plays a crucial role in regional trade. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran, with strategic locations along the coastlines of the Persian Gulf, serve as vital transit points for goods destined for Israel.
The recent actions targeting Israeli trade have garnered attention from the international community, particularly in the United States and Europe. Türkiye's non-violent economic sanctions have sparked conversations and discussions, even inspiring African nations to consider similar measures.
Last month, Türkiye halted the sale of over 53 product categories to Israel, a move followed by the suspension of all trade with Israel, including both exports and imports. These decisive actions by Türkiye set an example for other countries to follow.
The ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted trade routes, particularly through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Commercial vessels unable to traverse the Suez Canal have been forced to reroute around the southern tip of Africa, significantly increasing both time and energy costs. This shift has underscored the importance of ports along the coastlines of Africa.
As ships are compelled to navigate around the southern tip of the continent, they are required to dock at ports along both the eastern and western coastlines of Africa. The closure of these ports to vessels destined for or carrying cargo to Israel could significantly impact both the Israeli government and its supporters.
Israel's attempts to deepen its ties with Africa in recent years have suffered setbacks due to its actions in Gaza. The diplomatic fallout from Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights and the United Nations General Assembly's refusal to recognize the U.S.'s decision regarding Jerusalem has further exacerbated anti-Israel sentiment in Africa.
The escalating violence in Gaza has intensified opposition to Israel across Africa, potentially leading to the closure of ports by many Muslim-majority countries. As a result, Prime Minister Netanyahu's efforts to strengthen ties with Africa may face further challenges in the future.
