Christchurch Attacks: Erdogan's Threat, Warnings from Australia and New Zealand

The President of Turkey has threatened to send Australians who are anti-Muslim 'home in a coffin.' Australia condemned Erdogan's remarks, and the New Zealand government has sent its foreign minister to Turkey to protest Erdogan's recent statements and actions. Last Friday, during an attack by an Australian racist on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, at least 50 people lost their lives. New Zealand media described this attack as 'the worst terrorist attack' in the country's history. Erdogan has made headlines with his reactions in the past few days, all of which have been expressed just two weeks before municipal elections in Turkey. On Monday, the Turkish President threatened that anti-Muslim Australians coming to his country would be sent 'home in a coffin,' just like their grandfathers in the Gallipoli campaign. The Gallipoli campaign, or the Battle of Çanakkale, occurred during World War I between the Ottoman Empire and the British, French, and ANZAC forces, starting in April 1915 in the Dardanelles Strait, ultimately ending in the defeat of the Allied forces. Erdogan made these statements in Çanakkale itself. The Turkish President's remarks have faced severe backlash from the Australian government. Prime Minister Scott Morrison summoned the Turkish ambassador and demanded that Ankara retract these statements. The Turkish ambassador in Australia is set to meet with lawmakers in the Australian Parliament on Tuesday. Morrison stated that if Erdogan does not retract his comments, 'all options will be on the table.' It remains unclear what action the Australian government intends to take in response to Turkey. Hundreds of Australians and New Zealanders travel each year to Çanakkale to commemorate the fallen in the Gallipoli campaign. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated on the morning of March 19 that she had sent her deputy, the foreign minister, to Turkey to directly express Wellington's objections to the Turkish government. Ardern mentioned that Winston Peters would demand explanations from Ankara. She stated, 'Our deputy prime minister will directly challenge these statements in Turkey.' Erdogan has also broadcast parts of the footage of the mosque attacks again on Tuesday, despite previous severe criticism of this action. The New Zealand foreign minister had previously protested the broadcasting of the mosque attack footage, stating that this action by the Turkish government could endanger its citizens. The attacks last Friday in Christchurch targeted the Al Noor and Linwood mosques. The New Zealand Prime Minister has stated that her government will not allow the trial of the Australian attacker to become an opportunity for him to promote himself and his beliefs. The New Zealand Prime Minister said the Australian racist attacker 'was seeking many things with his terrorist act; self-promotion was one of them. And this is something we will definitely prevent.'