Çağlayan’s remarks came on the heels of recent reports that an Israeli court had ordered a freeze on the Israel-based accounts of Yılmazlar Holding, a Turkish construction company which argued the court decision was politically motivated. The company criticized the court for reflecting the international political tensions which erupted after an Israeli raid on the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara aid ship which left nine Turkish peace activists dead in their decision.
Çağlayan called on the Israeli government to stop confusing political relations with commercial ties, underlining that these are two different fields. The minister emphasized that Turkey would not accept Israel hampering Turkish firms’ operations in the country. “We have asked for information from the Israeli government,” Caglayan stated, adding, “Turkey’s reaction will be very harsh if the Israeli court order was influenced by the aid flotilla incident.” Caglayan added that he expected Israel to make their stance on the issue clear as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, the CEO of Yılmazlar, one of the largest construction firms in Israel, Ahmet Reyiz Yılmaz said a court in Tel Aviv had ordered the injunction of $10 million in receivables from four companies, including Yılmazlar.
Yılmaz said the court’s decision included the rationalization that the company’s Israeli operations could be suspended and it could be forced to withdraw from the country due to a political crisis sparked by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking to reporters Wednesday in İstanbul, Yılmaz said they filed a countersuit for compensation of $6 billion.
“We need to know whether this decision will give Turkey the right to confiscate the belongings of hundreds of Israeli firms in the country too. This is against the international trade agreements and is nothing but a double standard. … We expect that the Turkish government will protect our rights on a legal basis,” he asserted. Noting that they currently cannot access their bank accounts, Yılmaz said they still are not considering pulling out of the Israeli market.
