Scholz calls Erdogan's accusations against Israel "absurd"
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has defended Israel against verbal attacks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Among other things, Erdogan has accused Israel of "fascism" and questioned the right of the Israeli state to exist. In response to a question, Scholz said at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that Israel is a democracy and has every right to defend itself against the terrorist organization Hamas.
Israel is also a country "that is committed to human rights and international law and acts accordingly in its actions", said Scholz, defending Israel's military action in the Gaza Strip. "And that is why the accusations being made against Israel are absurd. And there can be no doubt about that."
Turkish president
Erdogan is expected to visit Berlin on Friday. Scholz had invited him after his re-election as president in May. The two have arranged to meet for dinner, before which Erdogan will also meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The Turkish President has taken a decidedly different stance on the conflict between Israel and Hamas than any of his other 30 NATO partners. He has called Hamas a "liberation organization". In contrast, he has previously described Israel as a terrorist state.
Scholz said: "Hamas is a terrorist organization. Israel has every right to defend itself against Hamas and also to attack those who are active as Hamas fighters in Gaza." There is also no doubt that Israel is a democracy. "And we will emphasize this in every conversation and at every opportunity, that this is our view of things."
- Despite being invited by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Turkish Head of state, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, holds a contrasting view to his NATO allies on the conflict between Israel and Hamas, labeling Hamas as a "liberation organization" and Israel as a "terrorist state."
- In response to Erdogan's accusations against Israel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz branded the claims as "absurd," asserting that Israel is a democracy with every right to defend itself against the terrorist organization Hamas.
- In a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Scholz defended Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, citing its commitment to human rights and international law, while emphasizing its right to protect itself against Hamas.
Source: www.dpa.com
