Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza on Thursday and questioned Germany’s stance, asking if Berlin was ignoring what he called Israeli “genocide,” during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ankara.
According to Reuters Merz, on his first official visit to Ankara since forming Germany’s new coalition government in May, defended Israel’s actions, saying the country was exercising its right to self-defence following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
"It would have taken only one decision to avoid countless unnecessary casualties. Hamas should have released the hostages earlier and laid down its arms," Merz said, adding he hoped the conflict was nearing an end through the U.S.-brokered, Turkey-supported ceasefire deal, Reuters reported.
with Germany's view on the genocide.
"Hamas does not have bombs or nuclear arms, but Israel has all of these and uses these weapons to hit Gaza, for example with those bombs again last night," Erdogan said. "Do you, as Germany, not see these? Do you, as Germany, not follow these? Besides hitting Gaza, Israel has always sought to suppress it through famine and genocide".
A United Nations inquiry and several human rights groups have suggested Israel’s actions in Gaza could amount to genocide. Israel rejects these claims, insisting its operations target Hamas militants, not civilians, and that it takes steps to minimise harm.
Merz has criticised Israeli actions and this year Germany suspended military exports to Israel due to the worsening humanitarian situation, but he has not endorsed accusations of genocide, arguing criticism must not become a pretext for antisemitism, Reuters noted.
Erdogan said he still believed Germany and Turkey could cooperate to deliver aid and prevent famine in Gaza. He also highlighted NATO defence cooperation and reiterated Turkey’s EU membership ambitions.
Merz described Turkey as a close EU partner and expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral economic ties, particularly in transport and migration.
Turkish media covered the meeting pointing out the criticism. Anadolu reported "Turkish President Erdogan questions Germany’s silence on Israel’s Gaza attacks – 'Germany, don’t you see this?' Erdogan asks over Israeli attacks on Gaza at joint press conference with German Chancellor Merz".