Reaction from İlber Ortaylı to German minister: She has provocative attitudes

The repercussions of footballer Merih Demiral celebrating his goal with a "Grey Wolf" (Bozkurt) gesture during the Turkish National Football Team's victory against Austria continue.

Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı wrote an article regarding Germany's stance following the "Grey Wolf" gesture made by footballer Merih Demiral during the EURO 2024 match hosted by Germany after the victory against Austria.

Criticizing Germany, Ortaylı said of German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who stated, "The signs of Turkish right-wing extremists have no place in our stadiums," that "unfortunately, she is not a serious security minister; she has provocative attitudes." Ortaylı added, "It is very shameful to interfere in football matches."

'SHE IS NOT A SERIOUS SECURITY MINISTER, SHE HAS PROVOCATIVE ATTITUDES'

In the relevant sections of his article titled "The Germans," Ortaylı included the following statements:

In the victory against Austria, one of our players, Merih Demiral, did a victory lap while making the 'Grey Wolf' sign, perhaps spontaneously or perhaps in response to those greeting him in the stands. This is not a very common usage in Turkey, as the German Federal Minister learned incorrectly from her own intelligence. Even if it were, it is our country's behavior. Here are the disadvantages of not being a great state; first, you receive incorrect and incomplete information. Second, of course, the field is your country, but you have opened it to international competitions. For that moment, it ceases to be just your place. You cannot teach everyone who comes how to behave. The German Interior Minister is unfortunately not a serious security minister; she has provocative attitudes. I say to our noble nation; let us love the old German culture; it is no longer an international language for today, but it was an important language for the philosophy, history, technical sciences, and medicine of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. However, no one should see Germany as a country that is the mecca of democracy. This evolution does not happen easily. It is not very easy to be cleansed of the tragedies of 50 years ago. The Germans must first control the excesses of their widespread and crazy groups called the Alternative Party. Germany is resorting to cheap politician rhetoric to cover up its negative reputation in history and its currently rising fascism. One of the targets of this demagoguery is Turkey; cool-headed and firm answers must be given. In the long run, the propaganda policies of the Federal Interior Ministry cannot be valid.

Stating, "It is very shameful to interfere in football matches. We are not at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It would not be pleasant for you to make too much noise about the specific displays of those who come to your home; otherwise, you cannot organize international competitions," Ortaylı included the following statements in his article:

In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' counter-letter, it was stated that this sign would not be seen as a crime by the federal committee for the protection of the constitution in Germany. It seems the Federal Ministry of the Interior has some unresolved problems within itself, such as the merit of its lawyers.

 

WHAT HAPPENED?