The German Federal Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, described the allegations by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Israel over its Gaza actions as baseless. He spoke alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at a joint press conference, where Mitsotakis underscored that Israel adheres to international norms and upholds human rights. The briefing stressed a shared view that Israel is acting within the bounds of international law.
Scholz stated that Israel is a nation bound by human rights and international law, and therefore Erdogan’s statements should be understood as not grounded in the facts. He was asked whether Erdogan’s remarks crossed a red line for Berlin, and the chancellor reaffirmed the German government’s position that the concerns raised by Ankara do not reflect the reality on the ground.
The Chancellor reiterated that from Germany’s perspective Hamas remains designated as a terrorist organization and that Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized that it is not acceptable for any radical group to pause operations, amass arms, and renew attacks against Israel after a lull.
On this matter, Scholz affirmed support for Israel, describing it as a robust democracy with no doubt about its democratic character. The remarks highlighted a united stance with Israel in defending its security and civilian protection, while recognizing the ongoing complexity of the conflict.
Earlier, the Turkish president asserted that attacks on the Palestinian population were unacceptable and urged the broader Islamic world to demonstrate unity in taking steps toward regional peace. The rhetoric also included criticisms of Western countries, which Erdogan described as cowardly and unscrupulous for their stance on the Gaza crisis.
Prior to these statements, Erdogan indicated that Ankara would label Israel a war criminal, asserting that Hamas is not a terrorist organization. The Turkish leader also criticized what he described as Western complicity and demanded a broader, more assertive international response to the situation in Gaza.
In the broader diplomatic exchange, Turkey announced action aimed at pressuring Israel through international channels. Ankara indicated it would pursue measures within multilateral forums to address what it views as violations of international humanitarian law. These moves reflect a pattern of heightened rhetoric and diplomacy as the Gaza conflict continues to attract global attention and regional pressure.
The exchange underscores enduring tensions between Turkey and Israel, alongside the wider debate among regional and Western partners about security, humanitarian law, and the path to peace. Analysts note that while the statements reflect domestic political signaling, they also shape international perceptions of who bears responsibility and how accountability is pursued in the Gaza crisis. The evolving dynamics suggest that international diplomacy will continue to be a central arena for addressing humanitarian concerns and questions of legality in military operations in densely populated areas.