Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was in Berlin yesterday where he met with both German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In both meetings, he was reportedly quite harsh in his criticism of Israel. “Israel’s attacks on Palestinian lands must cease and the global response to (Israel’s) human rights violations is essential,” he said at Steinmeier’s official residence, according to a statement by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, reported Anadolu. “A ceasefire should be established immediately in the region, humanitarian aid should be delivered, as humanity loses every day that the bloodshed continues,” Erdogan added. “In addition to collaborating to ensure a ceasefire in the region and the prompt delivery of humanitarian aid, the two leaders agreed that the two-state structure is the only solution for permanent peace,” the statement stressed.
In a joint press conference with Scholz, Erdogan said 13,000 Palestinians—including children, women and elderly people—have been killed so far in the war and almost all of Gaza has been destroyed by Israel’s attacks on the besieged enclave. “Does Israel currently have nuclear weapons? Yes, but if you ask Israel, they won’t admit it because they are very good at using lies,” the Turkish leader said.
