Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reignited controversy this week after accusing Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza during a meeting with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz in Ankara. The tense exchange, captured in a video clip released by TRT World, underscored Erdogan’s escalating anti-Israel rhetoric as the conflict in Gaza continues.

According to reports, Erdogan pressed Merz directly, asking, “Does Germany not see Israeli genocide in Gaza?” He cited exaggerated casualty figures, claiming over 60,000 civilian deaths — figures unverified by international observers and widely disputed by both Israeli and U.S. officials.

Merz, who leads Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), maintained a diplomatic tone, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue between Turkey and the European Union. He also reiterated Germany’s commitment to Israel’s right to self-defense and the need to combat terrorism, particularly from Hamas — the group responsible for launching thousands of rockets into Israeli cities since the October ceasefire collapse.

Erdogan’s remarks reflect a broader pattern of inflammatory accusations that have strained Turkey’s relationships with Western allies. While positioning himself as a defender of Palestinians, Erdogan has often aligned with narratives that vilify Israel and undermine legitimate self-defense efforts against Hamas terrorism.

The meeting concluded without a joint statement, highlighting the growing diplomatic divide between Ankara and Europe on Middle East policy. As Erdogan continues to court anti-Israel sentiment domestically, European leaders are increasingly cautious of his attempts to leverage regional conflicts for political influence.