President Erdogan Questions German Ignorance Of Genocide In Gaza

Chancellor Merz bersama Presiden Erdogan. (Twitter/@bundeskanzler)

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Germany for what he called ignorance of "genocide" and Israeli attacks on Gaza, in a joint press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.

Chancellor Merz is in Turkey on his first working visit to Turkey since taking office.

Chancellor Merz said his government had supported Israel since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, confident Israel was exercising its right to self-defense.

"It only takes one decision to avoid many unnecessary casualties. Hamas should have released the hostages early and laid down their arms," he said, adding he hoped the war would end soon with a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States and supported by Turkey.

Meanwhile, President Erdogan, one of the most vocal critics of the Israeli attack on Gaza and key players in the ceasefire negotiations, said he disagreed with Merz.

"Hamas had no bombs (or) nuclear weapons, but Israel had all of these and used these weapons to attack Gaza, for example with the bombs again last night," President Erdogan said.

"Are you, as Germany, not seeing this? Are you, as Germany, not following this? Apart from attacking Gaza, (Israel) always trying to suppress it through hunger and genocide," he told Chancellor Merz.

The UN investigation determined that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, taking into account the killings, sieges and destructions it carried out with the aim of destroying the lives of Palestinians in the enclave.

Israel's and international human rights groups reached the same conclusion.

Israel rejects allegations of genocide as politically motivated and says its military campaign is targeting Hamas, not Gaza civilians. Israel says it has taken steps to minimize the loss of civilians.

Chancellor Merz himself has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and this year Germany has suspended military exports there, citing deteriorating humanitarian situations.

However, he did not support allegations of genocide, arguing that criticism of Israel should not be used as an excuse for antisemitism.

Meanwhile, President Erdogan said he still believes Germany and Turkey can work together to end hunger by ensuring aid deliveries to Gaza.

He also highlighted the potential of NATO allies to focus on joint projects in the defense industry, and reaffirmed Ankara's desire to join the European Union.

Chancellor Merz said he views Turkey as a close partner of the European Union, and he wants to develop bilateral economic relations, including in the transportation and migration sectors.