German President Steinmeier Faces Protests During Visit to Turkey

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier encountered protests during his three-day visit to Turkey, which began on April 22, 2024. As Steinmeier arrived at Sirkeci Station in Istanbul, his first stop on the trip, he was greeted by chants of "Murderer Germany, get out of Türkiye" and "Genocide criminal, murderer Germany" from a group of pro-Palestinian protesters.

The protesters held placards accusing Germany of being a partner of "the murderer Israel" and demonstrated against Steinmeier's visit to the historic train station. Turkish police intervened and attempted to detain the protesters. The incident occurred as Steinmeier, accompanied by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, toured Sirkeci Station, the site where the first Turkish laborers were bid farewell to Germany in 1961.

Steinmeier's visit to Turkey marks the 100th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During his trip, the German president is scheduled to hold meetings in Istanbul, Gaziantep, and the capital Ankara. The protests were sparked by Germany's stance in support of Israel during its ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Why this matters: The protests during Steinmeier's visit highlight the complex and sometimes strained diplomatic relations between Germany and Turkey. The incident also underscores the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on international relations.

Despite the protests, Steinmeier continued his visit as planned. At a press conference, he acknowledged the contributions of Turkish-German migrants to German society. On the second day of his trip, Steinmeier visited Gaziantep province and was scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. The German president also paid his respects at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and met with the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

Key Takeaways

• German President Steinmeier faced protests in Turkey over Germany's support for Israel.
• Protesters accused Germany of being a "partner of the murderer Israel" and chanted slogans.
• Steinmeier's visit marked the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Turkey.
• Despite the protests, Steinmeier continued his visit and met with Turkish officials and leaders.
• The protests highlight the complex and sometimes strained diplomatic relations between Germany and Turkey.