Turkey and Germany Clash Over Israel Amid Talks on Defense \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Istanbul to discuss a wide range of issues, including defense cooperation and migration. However, their conflicting views on Israel’s military actions in Gaza led to sharp exchanges during an otherwise friendly news conference. Erdogan harshly criticized Israel, while Scholz defended Israel’s right to self-defense. Despite the tensions, both leaders emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation, particularly regarding Turkey’s arms procurement and Germany’s request for help with deporting migrants.
Erdogan and Scholz Meet in Istanbul: Quick Looks
- Diplomatic dispute: Erdogan and Scholz disagree sharply over Israel’s Gaza offensive.
- Defense cooperation: Turkey seeks Eurofighter jets from Germany as part of its military modernization.
- Migration concerns: Scholz aims for Turkey’s help in deporting migrants and asylum seekers.
- Arms exports: Germany recently resumed large-scale arms exports to Turkey after years of restrictions.
- Bilateral ties: Both leaders focus on strengthening cooperation despite differences over international conflicts.
Deep Look
During a post-meeting news conference, Erdogan did not hold back in his criticism of Israel, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of expanding the war in Gaza and condemning the Western nations that support Israel. His comments stood in stark contrast to the position of Chancellor Scholz, who defended Israel’s right to self-defense following attacks by Hamas and rejected accusations that Israel’s military actions amounted to genocide.
Diplomatic Tensions: Erdogan’s Criticism of Israel
Erdogan has long been a vocal critic of Israel, and his remarks during the news conference reflected his ongoing discontent with Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Erdogan claimed that Netanyahu’s goal is not to limit the war but to expand it. He accused the Israeli government of deriving pleasure from the deaths of Palestinian leaders and condemned the broader Western support for Israel’s actions.
“It’s clear that in Netanyahu’s mind, he doesn’t want to limit the war to just some definite, fascist circle, but to expand it,” Erdogan said. “The deaths of so many leaders is practically a point of delight for them. And the West is jumping for joy,” he added, voicing his frustration with the ongoing conflict.
Scholz’s Defense of Israel and Disagreement with Erdogan
Chancellor Scholz, however, struck a more measured tone, offering Germany’s defense of Israel’s right to protect itself in the face of Hamas attacks, particularly after the surprise October 7 assault. Scholz made it clear that while Germany is supportive of humanitarian aid to Gaza and a two-state solution, it does not agree with Erdogan’s labeling of the Israeli military operations as genocide.
“Germany does not believe … that the accusation of genocide is justified,” Scholz said. He acknowledged the tragedy of civilian deaths, including children, but emphasized that genocide is a legal term and that Israel’s actions in Gaza, while devastating, do not meet that definition. Scholz stressed that Germany stands by Israel’s right to self-defense while urging for a ceasefire and continued diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution.
Despite their opposing stances on Israel, both leaders maintained a friendly tone throughout the press conference. The differences, however, underscore the complexities of Turkey-Germany relations, particularly when it comes to sensitive international issues such as the Middle East conflict. The Israel-Palestine divide remains a significant challenge for Erdogan’s relationship with European leaders, many of whom back Israel’s security but are also concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Defense Cooperation: Turkey Seeks Eurofighter Jets
While the dispute over Israel captured headlines, the primary focus of the meeting between Erdogan and Scholz was strengthening military cooperation, particularly through arms deals. Turkey is keen to modernize its military capabilities and has expressed interest in acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Europe to bolster its air force. As a NATO member, Turkey has long sought to upgrade its defense systems, especially as regional tensions continue to rise.
Scholz hinted that Germany is open to such cooperation. “Turkey is a member of NATO, and therefore we always make decisions that involve concrete deliveries. That is a matter of course, and we have also made such decisions recently and they will be passed on,” Scholz noted. This follows Germany’s announcement that it had resumed large-scale arms exports to Turkey after years of restrictions.
According to reports from the German news agency dpa, the German government issued 69 arms export permits worth 103 million euros ($111.7 million) by mid-October 2023. This included military weapons valued at 840,000 euros ($911,000). The resumption of these arms exports marks a significant shift from previous years, when Germany had significantly reduced military sales to Turkey following its 2016 failed coup attempt and subsequent invasion of northern Syria in 2019.
Turkey’s efforts to procure military equipment come at a time when the country is seeking to enhance its defense capabilities amid growing security concerns in the region. NATO allies, including Germany, are cautiously renewing defense cooperation with Turkey, recognizing its strategic importance in the region while balancing concerns about its domestic and regional policies.
Migration Cooperation: Germany Seeks Turkey’s Help
Another crucial topic discussed during the meeting was migration, an issue of increasing importance for both Turkey and Germany. Germany, facing a rise in asylum seekers and irregular migrants, is seeking Turkey’s help in deporting individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected, as well as those who have committed crimes.
As of late September 2023, nearly 16,000 Turkish citizens residing in Germany were required to leave the country, but deportations have been slow. Scholz emphasized the need for Turkey’s cooperation in expediting the process, particularly in repatriating these individuals. Berlin is also looking to collaborate with Turkey on the deportation of migrants from other countries, such as Afghanistan and Syria, who may have entered Germany irregularly.
Turkey’s role as a key player in managing migration flows has been vital, particularly following the 2016 EU-Turkey migration deal, which aimed to control the movement of refugees and migrants into Europe. The agreement led to a significant reduction in migrant crossings, but as geopolitical tensions continue to affect the region, migration remains a pressing issue for both nations.
A Balancing Act: Cooperation Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Despite their sharp disagreements over Israel and the Gaza conflict, both Erdogan and Scholz stressed the importance of maintaining strong bilateral relations. The two leaders expressed a desire to continue working together in key areas, particularly defense and migration, where both sides have mutual interests.
For Erdogan, securing advanced military equipment from European countries like Germany is crucial to Turkey’s defense strategy, particularly as it seeks to maintain its influence in the region. For Scholz, Turkey’s cooperation on migration is essential to managing the growing number of asylum seekers and migrants arriving in Germany. The resumption of arms exports and the potential defense deals indicate a thaw in relations, following years of strained ties over Turkey’s domestic policies and regional actions.
In addition to military and migration concerns, the leaders also touched on broader economic cooperation, with both sides recognizing the importance of maintaining strong trade ties. Germany remains one of Turkey’s largest trading partners, and both countries have a vested interest in ensuring economic stability and growth.
Conclusion: A Complex Relationship
The meeting between Erdogan and Scholz in Istanbul underscored the complexities of Turkey-Germany relations. While both leaders are committed to cooperation in areas such as defense and migration, their differing views on international conflicts, particularly Israel’s actions in Gaza, highlight the challenges they face in maintaining a united front. As geopolitical tensions continue to rise, particularly in the Middle East, Turkey and Germany will need to navigate these differences carefully to ensure their bilateral relationship remains strong.
