ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has sharply criticized Germany for what he described as its “silence” and “ignorance” toward Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, urging Berlin to take a more active role in stopping the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a joint press conference in Ankara on Thursday, Erdoğan condemned Israel’s renewed bombardments on Gaza despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire, and called on Germany to join Türkiye in spearheading international efforts to end the violence.
“We need to end the genocide and deliberate starvation by involving Germany’s Red Cross and our own Turkish Red Crescent,” Erdoğan declared. “Does Germany not see these atrocities? It is our joint humanitarian duty to stop the famine and massacres in Gaza.”
Erdoğan: “Germany Cannot Stay Silent on Israel’s War Crimes”
Erdoğan accused Israel of committing war crimes through deliberate attacks on civilians, hospitals, and infrastructure, describing the recent air strikes as evidence of ongoing “state terrorism” against Palestinians.
He emphasized that Israel’s access to nuclear and advanced weaponry has emboldened its military campaign, while groups like Hamas remain poorly equipped in comparison.
“Just as we call for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, we must also demand an end to Israel’s war on Gaza,” Erdoğan said. “Türkiye and Germany are two powerful nations that can join hands to achieve peace.”
The Turkish leader’s remarks underscore a widening rift between Ankara and Berlin, as Germany remains one of Israel’s strongest allies in Europe, while Türkiye has positioned itself as a vocal advocate for Palestinian statehood and humanitarian relief.
Renewed Israeli Bombardments Shatter Ceasefire
Despite the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States on October 10, Israeli forces carried out new air raids on Gaza this week following the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah, southern Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, 104 Palestinians, including 46 children and 20 women, were killed in the latest strikes.
Reporting from Gaza City, Al Jazeera correspondent Hani Mahmoud said residents were once again plunged into terror.
“A brief hope for calm turned into despair,” Mahmoud said. “For many people, it’s a stark reminder of the early days of the war — the bombs, the destruction, the sheer sense of hopelessness.”
International Frustration Over Ceasefire Violations
The renewed attacks have sparked anger among international mediators. Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire, called Israel’s actions “disappointing and frustrating.”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump insisted the truce “is not in jeopardy,” even as Israeli warplanes continued to strike Gaza’s densely populated neighborhoods.
As part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan to end the two-year war, an international monitoring force is expected to oversee compliance. However, the agreement does not specify which nations will contribute troops.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would oppose any Turkish participation, citing Erdoğan’s sharp criticism of Israeli policy.
“Countries that want to send armed forces should be at least fair to Israel,” Saar told reporters.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza
Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, at least 68,527 Palestinians have been killed and more than 170,000 wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The war began after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that killed 1,139 people and led to about 200 captives being taken into Gaza.
Two years later, much of the enclave remains in ruins. Humanitarian organizations have warned of famine-like conditions, with more than two million Palestinians displaced and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.
Erdoğan called for an immediate expansion of humanitarian corridors, urging Western powers to pressure Israel into allowing more aid trucks and medical convoys into Gaza.
“This is not just a political issue — it is a test of humanity,” Erdoğan said. “Türkiye will continue to stand with Gaza until the blockade and massacres end.”
Türkiye and Germany: Allies Divided Over Gaza
Thursday’s meeting marked the first official visit to Ankara by Chancellor Friedrich Merz since taking office. While the two leaders discussed trade, migration, and defense cooperation, the Gaza war dominated the talks.
Merz reiterated Germany’s support for Israel’s “right to defend itself,” but called for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law — a stance that Erdoğan said was insufficient.
The Turkish president urged Germany to “reassess its moral responsibility” given its influence within the European Union and NATO.
“Germany has a duty, because silence in the face of injustice is complicity,” Erdoğan said.
Growing International Calls for Peace
As global outrage grows over Israel’s actions in Gaza, Türkiye has increased diplomatic pressure on Western nations to support a two-state solution and immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
Erdoğan’s government has also proposed forming a joint humanitarian task force involving Türkiye, Germany, Qatar, and Egypt to deliver aid and oversee post-war reconstruction.
Political analysts say the Turkish leader is trying to position Türkiye as a moral and diplomatic bridge between the Muslim world and Europe.
“Erdoğan is using the Gaza crisis to reassert Türkiye’s leadership in regional diplomacy,” said political scientist Dr. Selim Korkmaz. “He’s telling Germany and the EU that neutrality is no longer an option.”
The Road Ahead
While Ankara and Berlin maintain strong economic and defense ties, the Gaza conflict threatens to strain relations, especially as Erdoğan continues to label Israel’s actions as “genocide” — a term Germany has avoided using.
Both nations, however, expressed willingness to cooperate on humanitarian efforts and support future peace negotiations under international supervision.
For now, as Israeli strikes continue and Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens, Erdoğan’s call for Germany to take a firmer stance adds pressure on European allies to reconsider their position on Israel’s war.
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