German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attacks Erdogan's claims against Israel as "preposterous"
German leader Olaf Scholz has slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's accusations against Israel as "preposterous."
During a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Scholz called out Erdogan's labeling of Israel as "fascist" and questioned its right to exist. The German Chancellor vehemently defended Israel as a democratic nation with the legitimate right to protect itself against terrorist organization Hamas.
Scholz emphasized Israel's commitment to human rights and international law, stating that their military actions in the Gaza Strip were justified in self-defense. Erdogan's claims were dismissed as purely nonsensical, and Scholz maintained that his staunch support for Israel would not waver.
Friday visit by Turkish President
Despite their stark disagreements, Erdogan has been invited by Chancellor Scholz for a visit to Berlin on Friday. The Turkish President had been re-elected in May, and the two leaders planned to dine together before Erdogan met with the Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The Turkish President's controversial views on the Israel-Hamas conflict have set him apart from his NATO allies. While labeling Hamas as a "liberation organization," Erdogan has repeatedly described Israel as a "terrorist state."
Scholz's staunch stance
Chancellor Scholz was unequivocal in his defense of Israel, affirming that Hamas is indeed a terrorist organization with no right to threaten Israeli citizens. He asserted that Israel maintains its status as a democracy, announcing that he would reinforce this stance at every opportunity during their conversations.
Scholzer's supportive interpretation of the conflict highlights the ignominious nature of Erdogan's accusations against Israel. Scholz decisively rejected these claims, upholding a strong stance for diplomacy and human rights in his handling of the contentious issue.
Enrichment insights:
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's disparate views towards Israel and Hamas can be attributed to several factors:
- Historical context: Turkey was the first Muslim country to acknowledge Israel's independence, yet this relationship has remained fraught due to strong ties to the Palestinian cause.
- Support for Hamas: Erdogan has consistently advocated for Hamas, viewing it as a liberation movement, while disparaging Israel as a terrorist state.
- Criticism of Israel: Erdogan's criticism of Israel has intensified since a Hamas attack in 2023. He has accused Israel of genocidal practices, broken diplomatic ties, and joined South Africa's prosecution of Israel in the International Court of Justice.
- Strategic ambitions: Erdogan aims to spread Turkish influence in the Middle East and Africa. By backing Hamas and opposing Israel, he aims to strengthen his regional influence and challenge Israeli power.
- Domestic politics: Erdogan's domestic popularity has increased through his opposition to Israel, further solidifying his appeal to Turkish citizens.
- NATO tensions: Erdogan's defiance of NATO's shared messaging regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict has strained relations with many alliance members, causing policy divisions within the alliance.
