German FM supports Israel following Turkish counterpart's remarks on genocide incitement

On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul denounced recent comments by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan concerning Israel. The condemnation came after a discussion with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

Sa’ar urged NATO leaders to reject what he called Fidan’s “sickening” statements, describing them as “clear incitement to genocide” on Friday.

“Dehumanizing the Jewish people and presenting it as an ‘unbearable burden’ is the classic language of the great oppressors in history,” Sa’ar said. “The enlightened world and Turkey’s NATO allies must unequivocally condemn this explicit call for Israel’s destruction.”

Wadephul stated that “the recent statements by the Turkish foreign minister against Israel are clearly unacceptable. Israel faces an ongoing threat in the region, and it has the right and duty to defend its citizens.”

Wadephul is set to visit Israel on Tuesday and meet with Sa’ar, before continuing to a NATO meeting.

Sa'ar: Fidan used 'unacceptable' language

Sa’ar’s comments followed an interview Fidan gave last week to CNN Turk, in which he intensified his criticism of Israel. Fidan said that “Israel is not only Turkey’s problem, but a problem for the entire world,” adding that “the Israeli authorities have become a burden that humanity can no longer bear.”

He urged other countries to act against Israel, including ramping up diplomatic pressure and imposing sanctions.

Following the interview, Sa’ar accused Fidan of “clear incitement to genocide,” saying that describing Israel as “a burden that humanity can no longer bear” amounted to dehumanization and used language associated with “the great oppressors in history.”