BERLIN (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan set off for Germany Friday on a brief go to overshadowed by the 2 nations’ very totally different stances on the struggle between Israel and Hamas.
Erdogan is because of meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Germany‘s largely ceremonial president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in Berlin. Scholz invited Erdogan to visit in May following his re-election.
Turkey has long been viewed as an awkward but essential partner in Germany, which is home to more than 3 million people with Turkish roots. It’s a NATO ally that is also vital in efforts to manage the stream of refugees and migrants to Europe, a difficulty on which Scholz faces intense home strain, however there have been tensions lately over a wide range of points.
This go to is overshadowed by a rising chasm between the 2 nations’ stances on occasions following Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel.
Germany is a staunch ally of Israel and has opposed requires a cease-fire, whereas pushing for assist to civilians in Gaza, advocating “humanitarian pauses” and looking for to maintain open channels of communication with different nations within the area to forestall the battle from spreading.
Erdogan has taken an more and more strident stance in opposition to Israel. On Wednesday, he known as it a “terrorist state” intent on destroying Gaza together with all of its residents. He described Hamas militants as “resistance fighters” making an attempt to guard their lands and other people. Hamas is taken into account a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and European Union.
Those and related feedback have appalled politicians throughout the spectrum in Germany. Asked earlier this week about Erdogan‘s comments, Scholz didn’t point out the Turkish chief by identify however mentioned “the accusations that are being made there against Israel are absurd.”
On Wednesday, Scholz informed parliament that his talks with Erdogan will embrace a dialogue of “differing views – in this question, it is very important that there is clarity and that we make our own position very clear.”
Israel recalled its diplomats from Turkey final month after Erdogan accused Israel of committing struggle crimes. Turkey later additionally recalled its ambassador from Israel.
Another potential space of stress emerged forward of the go to. Late Thursday, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler mentioned Turkey plans to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, however Germany was impeding the sale of the warplanes produced by Germany, the U.Okay., Spain and Italy.
Guler informed members of the Turkish parliament’s protection committee that Spain and the U.Okay. favored promoting the jets to Turkey and have been now working to influence Germany.
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Suzan Fraser in Ankara contributed to this report.
