“Turkey has been for some time now a heated subject of debate in Europe in general and in France in particular. “In that sense, Islamophobia in Europe crystallizes around Turkey because Turkey under President Erdoğan is seen as the embodiment of a strong, assertive Muslim ‘other.’”“Turcophobia and Islamophobia feed each other,” she added. Ties between NATO allies France and Turkey have soured in recent months over Libya, as well as the conflict in northern Syria and drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. France’s Macron after meeting Tunisian President Kais Saied in Paris on June 22 has accused Turkey of “playing a dangerous game” and of “criminal responsibility” in the Libyan conflict. The UAE buys French weaponry and encourages its allies to do the same,” Jabbour continued.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 04, 2020 14:02 UTC