During a tense joint press conference on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany, he suggested that Germany refrains from criticizing Israel's actions in the conflict with Hamas due to a "psychology of guilt" stemming from the Holocaust. Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the significant differences in their views on the conflict, which escalated after Hamas's cross-border massacre on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. Erdogan emphasized that Turkey, not having experienced the Holocaust, speaks freely on the Israeli-Palestinian war, contrasting it with the perceived reluctance of those who feel indebted to Israel.
The profound acknowledgment and atonement for the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of six million Jews and five million others, form the core of Germany's post-Second World War identity. Israel was established three years after the war as a secure refuge for Jews.
Chancellor Scholz refrained from directly addressing Erdogan's comments but reiterated Germany's unwavering commitment to Israel's right to self-defense. He emphasized, "If you know Germany, you know that our solidarity with Israel is beyond all question. Israel has the right to defend itself. At the same time, all lives are equally precious, and the suffering in Gaza distresses us."
Since October 7, over 12,000 Palestinians, including 5,000 children, have lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza, as reported by the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. These figures are considered credible by the United Nations.
Erdogan added his perspective, stating, "There is hardly any place left to call Gaza. Everything has been razed to the ground."
However, the Turkish president refrained from reiterating his more contentious statements from recent days, where he characterized Israel as a "terror state" and claimed its legitimacy was in question due to its own fascism—a declaration characterized as "absurd" by Chancellor Scholz leading up to the visit.
During the press conference on Friday, Chancellor Scholz acknowledged the evident divergence in perspectives on the conflict, stating, "It's no secret that we have very different perspectives on the conflict. That's why our conversations are important. Especially in difficult moments, we need to talk to each other directly."
Despite some domestic pressure for Chancellor Scholz to cancel the visit, planned since May, German commentators highlighted the necessity for cooperation, particularly after geopolitical tensions arising from Turkey's post-2016 coup attempt crackdown. Additionally, Germany is home to a significant Turkish diaspora of nearly 3 million people, about half of whom hold voting rights in Germany.
While Chancellor Scholz is grappling with a €60 billion deficit in his budget, a coalition dispute over the economy, and surges in immigration, he seeks Ankara's assistance in curbing migration to the EU. Simultaneously, President Erdogan stands to gain from Berlin's support in the modernization of Turkey's customs union with the EU and securing visa-free travel for Turks, particularly in the lead-up to crucial local elections.
A moment of tension arose during discussions about the potential blockage of the sale of 40 Eurofighter jets to Turkey. Erdogan asserted that he could obtain the jets from "many other places" if Berlin rejected the deal and expressed displeasure with the journalist who raised the issue. Chancellor Scholz opted not to provide a response when questioned about his stance on approving the sale.
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