Scholz: 'Absurd' that Erdogan accuses Israel of fascism

2023-11-15 17:20:17, Kosova & Bota CNA

Scholz: 'Absurd' that Erdogan accuses Israel of fascism

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday that it was "absurd" that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses Israel of fascism. Israel is a country "that feels committed to human rights and international law and orients its actions in accordance with them." "And that is why the accusations against Israel are absurd and there can be no doubt about it," the German chancellor said at a press conference in Berlin. Scholz will host Erdogan in Berlin on Friday for talks. He had addressed the invitation to Erdogan after his re-election as president in May. Before the joint meeting in the evening, Erdogan will also meet with the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

What did Erdogan say?

In the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Turkish president has taken a completely different position from the other 30 NATO partners. On November 10, Erdogan said Israel's legitimacy was "in question" because of what he called "its fascism".

Erdogan has called Hamas a "liberation organization". While Germany, the USA and the European Union, as well as other countries, consider Hamas a terrorist organization.

Scholz: 'Absurd' that Erdogan accuses Israel of fascism

The Turkish president sharply criticized Israel's war against the militant group Hamas, which began after the group staged terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people.

Turkey also recalled its ambassador to Israel to protest the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Erdogan accused Israel of committing war crimes by heavily bombing the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, the current conflict has already claimed more than 11,240 lives.

Israel has denied such accusations in the past and said it was targeting Hamas.

On Tuesday, Scholz reiterated that he considers Hamas a terrorist organization and that he will continue to make that point.

He further clarified that the meeting with Erdogan was not cancelled. Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, supported Chancellor Scholz's decision not to cancel the talks.

Scholz added that Israel not only had the right, but also the "duty" to defend itself against the Islamic militant group./ DW