WATCH Viral Video | Did Turkish President 'Slap' Boy For Not Kissing His Hand? Internet Sparks Debate

A video showing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appearing to slap a child on stage during a ceremony in Rize province has sparked a debate on social media.

The incident, which took place on July 27 at the opening of the Aider Plateau Protection and Renewal Project, a province-wide urban transformation and disaster housing initiative, was captured in viral footage on X.

WATCH: Did Turkish President 'Slap' Boy?

In the video, Erdogan is seen extending his hand for a traditional kiss of respect from two boys who were brought on stage. When one of the boys hesitated, the child's face was reportedly slapped by Erdogan. The boy then kissed Erdogan's hand, and both children were given money as a gift by the president. The two kids subsequently hugged Erdogan.

🇹🇷 Turkey’s wannabe autocrat Erdogan slaps an infant boy for not immediately kissing his hand. pic.twitter.com/UKdoVrxDu1

— Pyotr Kurzin (@PKurzin) July 28, 2024

Although the gesture was not violent and many interpreted it as playful, the video sparked significant discussion on the internet.

Some users criticized him, with one remarking, "I wonder how he treats people behind closed doors if he can do that in front of the camera."

I wonder how he treats people behind closed doors if he can do that in front of camera

— ️️ً (@gobdeq) July 28, 2024

Another wrote, "This world makes me sicker by the day."

This world makes me sicker by the day.

— Liberties Light (@UnitedWeWin1776) July 28, 2024

Other characters assassinate the President's behaviour as "disgusting" and "pathetic."

Thats disgusting from Erdoğan.

— Errinle (@errinle) July 28, 2024

Pathetic behaviour.

— Indian (@crazyindian1947) July 29, 2024

However, some users defended Erdogan's actions, explaining that hand-kissing is considered a sign of respect in Turkish culture.

It was commented by a user, "Love it. Kissing the hands of elders, parents, and grandparents is seen as a sign of respect, especially in Turkey. If it is not done, corrections are made, particularly at a young age."

Love it 🤣
Kissing the hand of your elders, parents, grandparents is a sign of respect especially in Turkey. If you don’t do it you get corrected. Especially at a young age.

— Sokol0311 (@Sokol0311) July 28, 2024

Another wrote, " 'Slaps child' come on now lol."

“Slaps child” come on now lol

— 🇩🇴 ○Mr•Know•It•All 🇩🇴 (@Leortiz12) July 28, 2024

This was not the first instance of the Turkish president being seen misbehaving with children. Previously, during a visit to his family's neighbours in Rize, a child who requested an autograph on a Turkish national team T-shirt was slapped by Erdogan, as reported by NDTV.

In 2021, at the opening of the Salarkha Tunnel in Rize, a boy's head was knocked on by Erdogan. Additionally, last year, Erdogan was reported to have publicly slapped his grandson, though it was later claimed by him that he was merely "stroking" him.