Turkish President Erdogan Visits Germany to Discuss Israel-Hamas Conflict
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Berlin on Friday for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This marks Erdogan’s first visit to Germany since 2020, with the visit expected to last only several hours.
During a joint press conference on Friday evening, Chancellor Scholz emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense, stating that it must “not be called into question.” On the other hand, Erdogan continued his sharp criticism of Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, condemning the “shooting hospitals [and] killing children.” Scholz acknowledged that he and the Turkish president have “very different views on the conflict,” but emphasized the importance of direct dialogue, especially in difficult moments.
The chancellor also made it clear that “Israel’s right to exist is irrefutable” for Germany, and stressed that there is no place for antisemitism in the country, regardless of its origin.
Erdogan proposed that if Germany joined Turkey in calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, there is a chance it could be achieved.
The Israel-Hamas war has been a major point of contention between Germany and Turkey, with Erdogan heavily criticizing Israel’s offensive in the Gaza Strip and accusing Israel of committing war crimes. On the other hand, Israeli authorities have stated that the offensive aims to root out Hamas in response to terror attacks.
Before meeting with Scholz, Erdogan also met with German President Frank Walter-Steinmeier, where he stressed Germany’s position on Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
In addition to discussions about the Israel-Hamas conflict, Sweden’s possible accession to the NATO military alliance and migration issues are expected to be discussed. Turkey is also gearing up for municipal elections early next year.
The visit comes at a critical time when tensions between Israel and Hamas are high, and it highlights the differing perspectives among European and Middle Eastern countries on the conflict.
The video below provides a closer look at how the Israel-Hamas conflict has impacted Erdogan’s visit to Germany.