The Chancellor defends Israel against the harsh accusations of Turkish President Erdogan. Scholz emphasizes Israel’s right to self-defense and affirms the democratic nature of the state.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has defended Israel against verbal attacks from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan has, among other things, accused Israel of “fascism” and questioned the Israeli state’s right to exist. When asked about this, 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 feels committed to human rights, that is committed to international law and that acts accordingly in its actions,” said Scholz, defending Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. “And that’s why the accusations that are being made against Israel are absurd. And there can be no doubt about that.”
Turkish President on Friday in Berlin
Erdogan is expected to visit Berlin on Friday. Scholz invited him after his re-election as president in May. The two have arranged to meet for dinner; beforehand, Erdogan will also meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The Turkish president has taken a decidedly different stance in the conflict between Israel and Hamas than all of his 30 partners in NATO. He called Hamas a “liberation organization.” However, 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 work as Hamas fighters in Gaza.” There is also no doubt that Israel is a democracy. “And we will emphasize that in every conversation and at every opportunity, that this is our view of things.”
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
