A recent public ceremony in northern Rize featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took an unexpected turn.
According to Daily Mail, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sparked controversy by slapping a child on the face during a public ceremony after the child hesitated to kiss his hand.
President Erdogan attended the ceremony on July 27 to mark the opening of the Aider Plateau Protection and Renewal Project. During the event, Erdogan handed keys to new homeowners of rebuilt houses. Two young boys were brought on stage to greet the president after his speech.
Erdogan extended his hand for the boys to kiss, a customary gesture of respect in Turkey. One of the boys hesitated briefly, prompting Erdogan to slap him across the face. The boy giggled after the slap and then proceeded to kiss Erdogan’s hand as expected.
Following the incident, Erdogan gave money to both children and hugged them before they left the stage. The slap was captured on video, which quickly circulated on social media, igniting a heated debate. Opinions were divided, with some users criticizing Erdogan's behavior while others defended it as a cultural norm.
One social media user commented, "I wonder how he treats people behind closed doors if he can do that in front of the camera." Another user expressed disgust, saying, "That's disgusting from Erdogan."
In contrast, a supporter stated, "Love it. Kissing the hand of your elders, parents, and grandparents is a sign of respect, especially in Turkey. If you don't do it you get corrected. Especially at a young age."
This is not the first time Erdogan has been involved in similar incidents. Notably, he slapped children in 2021 and 2022 under similar circumstances. The incident has prompted further scrutiny of Erdogan’s behavior in public settings.
Adding to the controversy, Erdogan recently threatened to invade Israel in support of Palestine. He compared potential military actions to Turkey’s previous interventions in Nagorno-Karabakh and Libya. This rhetoric has drawn sharp criticism from international figures.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz demanded NATO expel Turkey over Erdogan’s threats. Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders also called for Turkey’s removal from NATO, labeling Erdogan an "Islamofascist." Erdogan has a history of making strong statements against Israel, calling for collective action from the Islamic world and accusing Israel of genocide.
In response to Erdogan’s threats, Foreign Minister Katz instructed diplomats to urgently engage with all NATO members. He called for the condemnation of Turkey and demanded its expulsion from the regional alliance. "We must be very strong so that Israel can't do these things to Palestine," Erdogan said, emphasizing his stance.
Erdogan's aggressive rhetoric and actions have affected his relationships with other countries and stirred domestic and international debates about his leadership style. Turkey has also suspended all trade with Israel due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza, further straining relations.
The public slap incident involving President Erdogan has sparked significant debate online, highlighting cultural norms and raising questions about his behavior. Erdogan's controversial statements regarding Israel have compounded the situation, leading to calls for Turkey’s expulsion from NATO. This series of events underscores the complex and often polarizing nature of Erdogan’s leadership. As Turkey navigates these controversies, domestic and international reactions will continue shaping the discourse around Erdogan’s presidency.
