Chancellor rejects Erdogan's accusations against Israel as "absurd"
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's accusations of fascism against Israel as "absurd". Israel is a country "that is committed to human rights and international law and acts accordingly in its actions", Scholz said at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "And that is why the accusations being made against Israel are absurd. And there can be no doubt about that."
Erdogan had said on Friday at a commemorative event in Ankara to mark the 75th anniversary of the death of the republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk that Israel has been trying for 75 years "to establish a state on land that was stolen from the Palestinian people". Israel's legitimacy is being called into question due to its "own fascism".
Erdogan is scheduled to visit Germany on Friday. When asked about Erdogan's comments, Scholz emphasized that Israel is a democracy. "This must also be said very clearly, and there is no doubt about that either, and we will also emphasize in every conversation and at every opportunity that this is our view of things."
The Federal Chancellor plans to receive the Turkish President for a working dinner at the Chancellery in Berlin on Friday evening. Before that, Erdogan will meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Erdogan's visit has been the subject of criticism for days due to several statements made by the Turkish President on the war between Israel and Hamas.
The Federal Chancellor firmly dismissed Erdogan's reproaches towards Israel, calling them "absurd," due to Israel's commitment to human rights and adherence to international law. Erdogan's assertions that Israel has been attempting to establish a state on stolen Palestinian land and questioning Israel's legitimacy due to its own "fascism" were strongly opposed by Scholz. Amidst criticism, Scholz is expected to host Erdogan for a working dinner, emphasizing Israel's status as a democracy during their conversations.
Source: www.ntv.de
