Deepening Turkey-France Conflict... Risk of Escalation into Europe vs Islam Sphere

On the 26th, Turkish President Erdogan says "Don't buy French products"... France urges "Stop the attacks"
Europe criticizes Erdogan's remarks as "defamation"... Islamic world warns "Don't blaspheme"

French President Emmanuel Macron is covering his mouth with his hand while coughing as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan passes by.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The conflict between Turkey and France, triggered by the killing carried out by an Islamic extremist in France, is intensifying. Starting with a war of words between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron, the dispute is spreading across Europe and the Islamic world.

On the 26th (local time), according to the daily The Guardian and others, President Erdogan urged a boycott of French products, saying, "Just as people say not to buy Turkish products in France, do not trust products labeled with French brands, and do not buy French products." This statement came after he repeatedly hurled harsh insults at President Macron, saying he "needs psychiatric treatment." He called European leaders "fascists" and emphasized, "Europe must stop the hate campaign against Muslims led by Macron."

The French government immediately reacted. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that hate protests must stop, pointing out that "such demands undermine France's position of protecting religious freedom, freedom of expression, and rejection of hate." They further demanded, "Turkey's call for a boycott is meaningless and must stop immediately, and attacks against France must also cease."

The conflict between Turkey and France began with the brutal death of French history teacher Samuel Paty on the 5th. Paty, who conducted a class discussion on freedom of expression using satirical cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as the subject, was brutally murdered on the street by an 18-year-old youth radicalized by Islamic extremism.

Following this incident, anti-Islam sentiment grew in France, and President Macron defended the satire of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as part of freedom of expression. He also expressed his intention to strengthen the principle of secularism targeting Islam, stating, "The ideology that claims their laws are superior to the laws of the Republic is problematic."

In response, President Erdogan launched harsh criticism at President Macron. On the 24th, he said, "What problem does Macron have with Muslims? He needs psychiatric treatment," adding, "What can be said about a head of state who treats millions of people within his country who believe in minority religions like this? First, a psychiatric evaluation is needed."

This situation is gradually expanding to Europe and the Islamic world. Steffen Seibert, spokesperson for the German Chancellor's Office, criticized Erdogan's "psychiatric treatment" remark during a briefing, calling it "completely unacceptable defamatory speech." He pointed out that Erdogan's remarks were made without considering the background of the "horrific murder by an Islamic fanatic" of the French teacher.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also expressed support for President Macron via Twitter and criticized President Erdogan. He wrote, "Erdogan's remarks targeting President Macron are unacceptable," adding, "Personal insults do not help the positive agenda that the EU seeks to pursue with Turkey but only push solutions further away."

On the other hand, the Islamic world is conducting a boycott of French products, accusing Europe of "blasphemy." The Council of Senior Scholars, the highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia, pointed out that insulting Muhammad only helps extremists. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the largest international Islamic organization, also condemned the satirical cartoons of Muhammad and stated, "We will continue to criticize the justification of blasphemy in the name of freedom of expression."

In Qatar and Kuwait, boycotts of French products are also underway. A food distributor in Qatar announced that it will no longer supply French products to stores, and some stores in Kuwait have decided not to offer French cheese products. Additionally, over 430 travel agencies in Kuwait announced the suspension of flight bookings to France.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also criticized on Twitter the previous day, saying, "Macron chose the path of promoting Islamophobia by attacking Islam, not terrorists." Furthermore, Jordan's opposition Islamic Action Front demanded an apology from President Macron on the 24th and called for a boycott of French products.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.