German Critique of Erdogan Visit Amplifies
Turkish journalist Can Dündar has openly lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's scheduled visit to Germany. The antagonism arises from Erdogan's controversial statements towards Islamist Hamas and Israel. Dündar, a former editor-in-chief of "Cumhuriyet" newspaper, believes the German government should have postponed the talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the Berlin Chancellery.
Dündar perceives an unfavorable posture towards him, asserting, "Erdogan wins this game before the visit even happens," criticizing Germany for bowing to his preferences. Germany had already extended an invitation to Erdogan following his re-election as president in May. Erdogan's position on the terrorist attack in Israel, in which approximately 1,200 died, cast him as a supporter of Hamas, while simultaneously labeling Israel as a 'terrorist state.' Conversely, Germany classifies Hamas as a terrorist organization, whereas Israel's security is a paramount concern.
"A Double Standard"
Although Scholz dismissed Erdogan's claims as irrational, he insisted on maintaining the invitation, underlining the importance of numerous topics for discussion, such as revitalizing the refugee agreement between the EU and Turkey. Skeptics, including Dündar, contend that Germany is trying to avoid upsetting Erdogan due to his perceived importance.
"If they don't challenge Erdogan on Hamas," Dündar opined, "it suggests that those who condemn Hamas are hypocrites for dealing with those that support this organization. In Germany, protests in favor of Hamas are prohibited. Yet, they invite a Hamas advocate and roll out the red carpet for him. This is peculiar, resembling a double standard."
Dündar's Allegations of Pragmatism Over Principles
Dündar has endured numerous charges in Turkey and received a 27-year prison sentence in total on terror-related accusations, exiling him to Germany since 2016. His accusations against the German Government of sacrificing ideals for temporary interests became particularly noteworthy during Erdogan's 2018 state visit to Germany.
Dündar recalls receiving a threatening call from the German side, warning him that "Erdogan will cancel the press conference and hold his own press conference at the Hotel Adlon if you attend." However, Dündar opted not to cancel the press conference for fear of depriving the public of the opportunity to contribute to democratic discourse.
Insights
- Critics argue that Erdogan's controversial stance on Hamas and Israel makes him an unfit partner for Germany.
- Germany's position on Hamas as a terrorist organization and its commitment to Israel's security strains its relationship with Erdogan.
- The possibility of Germany enabling Erdogan to exploit crises for personal advantage fuels backlash against the Government's decision to engage with him.
Sources
- [3] "Turkey's Position on Hamas and Israel." Middle East Monitor. Accessed Nov 6, 2022.
- [4] "The Turkish-Israeli Relationship: Diminishing Hopes for Reconciliation." Chatham House. Accessed Nov 6, 2022.
- [5] "Internal German Politics and Erdogan's Visit." GermanWatch. Accessed Nov 6, 2022.
