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In view of the different views on the conflict in the Middle East, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasized the importance of direct exchanges with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“Mr President, it is no secret that we have very different views on the conflict,” Scholz said before a dinner with Erdogan in Berlin. “That is precisely why our conversations are important, especially in difficult moments we need a direct conversation with each other.”

Scholz reiterated: “Israel’s right to exist is irrefutable for us.” He continued: “There is no place for anti-Semitism in our country, regardless of whether it is politically motivated or religious, whether it comes from the right or the left, whether it has grown here for centuries or whether it comes into the country from outside. .” At the same time, he opposes those who want to deny Muslims their place in Germany. The suffering of the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza is also depressing.

He wanted to talk to Erdogan about “how we can prevent further escalation, because we share the concerns about a fire in the Middle East.”

Ankara is competing for fighter jets

Shortly before the meeting, Turkey insisted on a German yes to the Turkish purchase of Eurofighter aircraft. The government is aware of Ankara’s interest in 40 fighter jets, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said. Meanwhile, Erdogan met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace. It is unclear whether Turkish interest in the fighter jets will also be on the table during the dinner with Scholz scheduled for tonight.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler said on Thursday that they planned to buy 40 fighter jets and had already received approval from Britain and Spain. “Now they are trying to convince Germany,” state news agency Anadolu quoted him as saying.

Germany is involved in the production of the Eurofighter. Therefore, any export transaction requires federal government approval. The federal government recently halted the supply of Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia. These fighter jets are manufactured in Great Britain.

Sharp verbal attacks on Israel

Erdogasn’s visit is also controversial due to his sharp verbal attacks on Israel over the Gaza war. Although Erdogan condemned the killing of hundreds of Israeli civilians in the October 7 terrorist attack, he later described Hamas, which was responsible, as a “liberation organization.” On the other hand, he accused Israel of a “genocide” in the Gaza Strip and even questioned Israel’s right to exist.

A journalist from the German Press Agency asks Erdogan after his statement whether he would question Israel’s right to exist. The Turkish president avoids a concrete answer, saying instead: “In NATO, Turkey is not just any country, but is one of the top five. Between Russia and Ukraine – who is on Ukraine’s side? All. But we are talking to Ukraine and Russia. Now the places of worship in the Middle East have been bombed. Why are there no comments on this? For us there is no difference when we talk about Jews, Christians or Muslims. Please ask human questions.”

Steinmeier makes Germany’s position clear

In his conversation with Erdogan, Steinmeier made Germany’s position in the Middle East conflict “strongly clear.” The office of the federal president announced this. “The Federal President underlined the classification of Hamas’s attack on Israel as a terrorist attack and Hamas as a terrorist organization. He emphasized Israel’s right to exist and its right to self-defense.”

According to Erdogan, Israel is “trying to build a state whose history dates back only 75 years and whose legitimacy is being questioned by its own fascism,” he said late last week. Scholz dismissed Erdogan’s accusations against Israel as “absurd.” At the same time, Erdogan also repeatedly expressed his support for a two-state solution – a stance he shares with the German Chancellor.

The Turkish president called for a humanitarian ceasefire. If Germany and Turkey could reach such a ceasefire together, there would be a chance to save the region from this “ring of fire,” Erdogan said. Everyone must work for lasting peace in the Middle East.

Does Erdogan want to link NATO expansion to fighter jets?

NATO partners are also likely to comment on the Turkish parliament’s upcoming yes vote for Sweden’s inclusion in the defense alliance. Despite Erdogan’s previous promises, this appears to be postponed even further: the responsible committee in the Turkish parliament postponed its decision on Thursday, according to reports in the Turkish media, partly under pressure from Erdogan’s fellow party members. There is still a need for further clarification, it said. It was initially unclear when the topic would be back on the agenda.

Turkish journalists speculated that Erdogan might want to use this as leverage in the Eurofighter negotiations. The Turkish head of state had previously tried to link his consent for NATO expansion to US fighter jets.

Given the current situation, the meeting between Scholz and Erdogan will probably also discuss the refugee pact between the EU and Turkey. Through him, Turkey has committed to stop smuggling activities at the border and to take back migrants who enter the Greek islands illegally through Turkey. In return, Ankara received billions in aid from the EU, among others, to accommodate the refugees. However, Turkey has not accepted migrants from Greece since 2020 – the reason for this was the outbreak of the corona pandemic. Turks also submitted the most asylum applications in Germany in October.

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