Greta Thunberg Urges Turkey to Halt Oil Transit to Israel

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has called on Turkey to completely cease the transit of oil destined for the Israeli market, urging Ankara to use energy infrastructure as leverage against Israel. The demand was made during the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, where Thunberg also called for a full energy embargo on Israel, accusing the Jewish state of perpetuating what she termed genocide in Gaza.

This initiative targets a crucial energy route connecting Azerbaijan to the Mediterranean Sea via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which supplies a significant portion of Israel's oil imports. Despite Turkey's existing restrictions on direct trade with Israel, Azerbaijani oil continues to reach Israel through Turkish territory. Azerbaijan accounts for approximately one-third of Israel's oil consumption, and halting these supplies via Turkey could severely disrupt existing energy chains.

Thunberg's demand complicates relations between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Israel. Azerbaijan maintains an independent foreign policy and continues to develop economic and strategic ties with Israel, extending beyond oil trade to include defense, technology, and agriculture. In 2024, Azerbaijani oil exports to Israel increased by 55%, reaching about 1.173 million tons, valued at approximately $713 million, with total energy exports to Israel estimated at $1.7 billion.

Furthermore, Israel is a key supplier of advanced defense technologies to Azerbaijan, including drones and radar systems, with over 9% of Israel's defense exports going to Azerbaijan between 2018 and 2022. These defense ties reinforce the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Separately, Thunberg's behavior during the filming of a documentary about the climate movement drew attention. She was filmed laughing upon learning that her Fridays for Future movement continues to organize protests, expressing surprise that participants were still holding such events.