2023-11-17 18:53:10
Updated17. November 2023, 7:53 p.m
Uproar in Berlin: Erdogan equates captured Palestinians with Hamas hostages
On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Berlin for talks. One statement in particular is causing a stir.
von1 / 2
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Berlin on Friday. There was then a press conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
AFP
Erdogan didn’t say a word regarding the war.
AFP
That’s what it’s regarding
On Friday, the Turkish president met with the German political leadership.
In his speech, Erdogan referred to Hamas terrorists as “hostages.”
In the evening there is a dinner with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
That happened
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan landed in Berlin on Friday followingnoon. There were meetings with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Erdogan’s visit is controversial, especially because of the Turkish president’s sharp verbal attacks once morest Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war. Among other things, he accused the country of “genocide” (genocide) in the Gaza Strip and “fascism” and described the terrorist organization Hamas as a “liberation organization.” Scholz rejected Erdogan’s accusations once morest Israel as “absurd”.
That’s what Erdogan said
The Turkish president didn’t say a word regarding the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7th. But he talks regarding freeing the hostages. He equated Palestinians in Israeli prisons with Hamas hostages.
He also called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza war. If Germany and Turkey might reach such a ceasefire together, there would be a chance of saving the region from this “ring of fire”. Everyone must work for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Meeting with Frank-Walter Steinmeier
In an interview, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier “strongly made clear” the German position in the Middle East conflict. “The Federal President underlined the classification of Hamas’ attack on Israel as a terrorist attack and Hamas as a terrorist organization. He highlighted Israel’s right to exist and its right to self-defense.”
According to the Federal President’s Office, both heads of state agreed that all efforts must be directed toward helping to free the hostages and preventing the conflict from spreading regionally. “They emphasized that the civilian population must be protected and humanitarian care in Gaza must be urgently improved.” According to the information, both presidents also emphasized that there might only be a lasting peaceful future in the region on the path to a two-state solution. According to a Turkish statement, they want to work together to “ensure a ceasefire”.
Meeting with Olaf Scholz
Before the meeting, Chancellor Olaf Scholz promoted good relations between the two countries. “The citizens of Germany and Turkey are connected to each other in many ways.” It is important to him “that contact and personal encounters for our citizens are good and as uncomplicated as possible”.
Scholz listed various topics that he then wanted to discuss with the Turkish President at a dinner in the Chancellery. This includes Sweden’s accession to NATO, which is still being discussed in Turkey. “We hope for a positive decision soon,” said Scholz.
Germany and Turkey share the goal of wanting to limit irregular migration. Scholz called the 2016 refugee agreement between the EU and Turkey a “good agreement”. He is committed to ensuring that this continues in the EU. We will also have to talk regarding the question of repatriations. With regard to relations between the EU and Turkey, he said that they had fallen short of their potential in recent years.
Don’t miss any more news
With the daily update you stay informed regarding your favorite topics and don’t miss any news regarding current world events.
Receive the most important things, briefly and concisely, directly to your inbox every day.
1700258056
#Uproar #Berlin #Erdogan #equates #captured #Palestinians #Hamas #hostages
