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Türkiye's Presidential Communications Directorate's Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) denied claims on Thursday that Turkish commercial vessels were traveling to Israel while the Global Sumud Fleet was under Israeli attack, calling the allegations part of a "deliberate perception operation" to mislead the public.
The DMM stated on social media platform X that none of the seven vessels mentioned in the circulating claims were Turkish-flagged, and that appropriate legal action has been taken against ships that violated port exit declarations.
"None of the seven vessels in question had Turkish flags, four had no cargo loaded at our ports, one only unloaded cargo from other ports in our country and did not facilitate trade with Israel," the statement said.
"The other two vessels went to Haifa contrary to their port exit declarations, so their entry to Turkish ports has been banned and necessary legal processes are being pursued," the statement added.
The center emphasized that Türkiye completely halted all export, import, and transit trade operations with Israel covering all products as of May 2, 2024. Since that date, no Israel-related operations have been recorded in customs exit notifications or export declarations.
Under additional measures, Israeli-flagged, owned, or affiliated vessels are banned from Turkish ports.
Foreign-flagged vessels carrying military cargo to Israel are also prohibited from docking at Turkish ports.
Only vessels that can document they are providing aid or conducting trade with Palestine are permitted entry to Turkish ports, with each declaration verified by the Palestinian National Economy Ministry and accompanied by commitments that no prohibited cargo bound for Israel is aboard.
"Since the implementation began, numerous Israeli-affiliated vessels have been prevented from entering Turkish ports, and de-flagging procedures have been established for Turkish-flagged vessels that acted contrary to instructions," the DMM stated.
The center later characterized the social media claims as part of a deliberate campaign to undermine Türkiye's support for Palestine.
"It is understood that such perception management operations are part of a conscious campaign aimed at overshadowing Türkiye's support for Palestine," the statement said.
The denial comes as Israeli forces have detained activists from the Global Sumud Fleet, a humanitarian convoy attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The flotilla has been under attack by Israeli naval forces in international waters, with Turkish citizens among those detained.
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