Germany Rebukes Turkish FM, Backs Israel's Self-Defense Right

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on July 5 sharply condemned Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's anti-Israel remarks as plainly inappropriate. Wadephul said Israel faces a continuing regional threat and has both the right and the duty to defend its citizens. He also said he will travel to Israel on Tuesday before the NATO summit in Turkey to meet Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on current Middle East issues. Jerusalem should use this German backing to press NATO allies to reject Turkish incitement and defend Israel's lawful self-defense against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran's network.