Erdogan, Merzit: Isn't Germany seeing the Israeli genocide in Gaza?

2025-10-30 22:07:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized Germany for what he called its ignorance of the "Israeli genocide" and attacks on Gaza.

He made these statements during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Divisions among NATO allies were evident during Merz's first visit to Turkey since taking office as chancellor.

Merz said that his government has stood by Israel since the attack by Hamas, the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, on October 7, 2023, and that it believes that Israel is exercising its right to self-defense.

" A decision from you would have been enough to avoid many unnecessary casualties. Hamas should have released the hostages and handed over its weapons earlier ," he said, adding that he hoped the war had ended with the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and supported by Turkey.

Erdogan, one of the most vocal critics of Israel's offensive in Gaza and a key player in the ceasefire talks, said he disagreed with Chancellor Merz.

"Hamas does not have bombs or nuclear weapons, but Israel has all of these and uses these weapons to strike Gaza, for example, it attacked with these bombs again last night ," Erdogan said.

"You, as a German, do you see these? You, as a German, don't you follow these events? In addition to attacking Gaza, Israel has also always aimed to oppress Gaza through starvation and genocide ," the Turkish leader said.

A United Nations investigation has found that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, arguing that the killings, sieges and destruction were carried out with the aim of “destroying the Palestinians” in the enclave. Several other Israeli and international human rights groups have reached a similar conclusion.

Israel denies the accusations of genocide, calling them politically motivated, and says its military campaign is targeting Hamas, not the civilian population of Gaza. It also claims to be taking measures to minimize civilian casualties.

Merz has criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, and this year Germany suspended military exports there, citing the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip./ REL