Israeli oil imports routed through Türkiye surged in 2025, despite Turkish trade data reporting “zero trade” with Israel since mid-2024. While official records indicate a halt in bilateral commerce, oil and other goods continued to reach Israeli markets through indirect routes.
Turkish trade figures began showing no direct exports to Israel following Ankara’s announcement of trade restrictions amid the Gaza war. However, shipping and customs data indicate that energy supplies linked to Türkiye have continued flowing to Israel through third countries and intermediary companies.
Analysts say the rise in oil imports reflects the use of re-export mechanisms, transshipment hubs, and foreign-registered firms that obscure the original source of cargo. These methods allow shipments to reach Israeli ports without appearing in Türkiye–Israel bilateral trade statistics.
Energy experts note that crude oil and refined petroleum products are particularly suited to indirect trade, as cargoes can be blended, relabeled, or transferred at sea or at regional ports before final delivery. This has raised questions about the effectiveness of declared trade suspensions.
The gap between official trade data and actual supply flows has drawn criticism from political and civil groups, who argue that indirect trade weakens public commitments and undermines economic pressure measures.
Turkish authorities have not publicly detailed how indirect exports are monitored or restricted, while Israeli energy imports have remained steady amid regional instability. Observers say the issue highlights the limits of unilateral trade freezes in a globalized energy market and is likely to remain under scrutiny as tensions persist.
