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Erdogan Gifts Personalized Pistols to NATO Leaders, Most Decline to Take Them

How 10 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

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First reported by Maariv · Jul 8, 2026

What happened

At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Erdogan gifted personalized Turkish pistols to NATO leaders, but many declined to keep them due to import laws. UK and German leaders left their pistols in embassies, while Belgium confiscated one due to live ammunition. Other EU officials also received the pistols, which sparked legal and security concerns.

01Turkish President Erdogan gave personalized pistols to NATO leaders at the Ankara summit.
02Gifts included pistols, ammunition, and cleaning kits with export permits.
03UK and German leaders left their pistols in embassies to comply with import laws.
04Belgium confiscated a pistol with live ammo from its Prime Minister's delegation.
05EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel also received pistols.
06The pistols' value and live ammunition raised legal and security issues across Europe.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

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