Scholz's Tense Interaction with Erdogan
Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet, and Scholz won't hesitate to speak up if Erdogan carries on his anti-Israel tirades in Berlin's Chancellery.
Previously, during Abbas's visit, when he accused Israel of 50 times the holocaust against Palestinians, Scholz waited until later to respond in Bild, calling the statements "intolerable" and "unacceptable." However, this time, Scholz is expected to be more vocal.
Erdogan's Anti-Israel Rhetoric
Despite condemning the killing of several hundred Israeli civilians in the October 2021 terrorist attack, Erdogan defended Hamas, the terror group responsible, labeling it a "liberation organization." He went further, branding Israel as a "terrorist state" and questioning its existence, saying that it is attempting to create a state solely based on its 75-year history, with its legitimacy challenged by its own fascism.
Scholz's Response
While Germany labels Hamas as a terrorist organization and values Israel's security, Scholz has dismissed Erdogan's attacks as "absurd." He intends to uphold dialogue with Turkey, considering numerous topics they need to discuss.
Turkey's Role in Middle East Conflict and NATO
Turkey plays a significant role in the Middle East conflict, hosting more than 200 Hamas hostages in the Gaza Strip. Germany believes Turkey could mediate the release of these hostages.
As a NATO member with close relations to Russia, Turkey has proven essential in situations like the so-called grain deal, agreeing to let Ukraine export grain via the Black Sea and advocating for its renewal.
Government's Standpoint
The coalition government and CDU/CSU generally support the visit, recognizing its importance due to various aspects, such as mediation in the Middle East conflict and Turkey's role in NATO and its affiliation with Russia.
However, some critics, like exiled Turkish journalist Can Dündar, denounce Germany for maintaining a double standard, as they allow inviting a Hamas supporter despite prohibiting Hamas support demonstrations in Germany.
Germany's Approach to Turkey
While Germany has refrained from using Turkey’s relations with Hamas or its NATO membership to manage relations with Erdogan, it maintains a nuanced approach. This approach includes diplomatic engagement, balancing strategic interests with concerns over human rights issues, and upholding EU and NATO values.
