Does Germany not see ‘genocide’ in Gaza by Israel, Turkey’s Erdogan asks Merz
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arriving to deliver a joint press conference in Ankara, on Oct 30.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
- Erdogan criticised Germany's stance on Israel's actions in Gaza, calling them "genocide," a view Merz did not share.
- Merz affirmed Germany's support for Israel's right to self-defence following the Hamas attack on Oct 7, 2023.
- Despite disagreements, both leaders expressed interest in collaboration, including aid to Gaza, defence projects, and economic ties.
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ANKARA - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticised Germany over what he said was its ignorance of Israel’s “genocide” and attacks in Gaza, at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Oct 30.
Open public friction emerged between the Nato allies on Mr Merz’s first visit to Turkey since taking office.
Mr Merz said his government had stood by Israel since the Oct 7, 2023, attack by Hamas
“It would have taken only one decision to avoid countless unnecessary casualties. Hamas should have released the hostages earlier and laid down its arms,” he said, adding he hoped the war was coming to an end with the US-brokered and Turkey-backed ceasefire deal.
Mr Erdogan, among the most vocal critics of Israel’s assault on Gaza and a key player in the ceasefire talks, said he could not agree with Mr Merz.
“Hamas does not have bombs (or) nuclear arms, but Israel has all of these and uses these weapons to hit Gaza, for example with those bombs again last night,” Mr Erdogan said.
“Do you, as Germany, not see these? Do you, as Germany, not follow these? Besides hitting Gaza, (Israel) has always sought to suppress it through famine and genocide,” he said.
A UN inquiry determined that Israel has committed genocide
Israel rejects genocide allegations as politically motivated and says its military campaign targets Hamas, not Gaza’s civilian population. It says it takes steps to minimise civilian harm.
Mr Merz has criticised Israeli actions in Gaza and this year Germany suspended military exports there, citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation.
He has stopped short of backing accusations of genocide, however, arguing that criticism of Israel must not become a pretext for anti-Semitism.
Mr Erdogan said he still believed Germany and Turkey could collaborate to end famine by ensuring aid delivery to Gaza.
He also pointed to the potential for Nato allies to focus on joint projects in the defence industry, and reiterated Ankara’s wish to join the European Union.
Mr Merz said he saw Turkey as a close partner to the EU, that he wanted to develop bilateral economic relations, including in the transport sector and migration. REUTERS
