Israel Matzav

Parts of World Economic Forum to move from Davos to Istanbul?

Remember the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2009 in the middle of Operation Cast Lead? In case you've forgotten, let's go to the videotape.



The next time Erdogan storms out, it may be Istanbul and not Davos. In fact, Erdogan may throw everyone else out instead of storming out himself (Hat Tip: Joshua I).

Cüneyd Zapsu said during a television program on Monday that first WEF meeting in İstanbul will be held from June 19-22. “This will not be a one-time thing,” Zapsu said, underscoring that the some of the annual meetings that are related to the region will be held in İstanbul in the following years as well.

Davos is remembered as the meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan walked out of in 2009. During a session on Gaza, in which Erdoğan, Israeli President Shimon Peres, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League Secretary Amr Moussa were panelists, Erdoğan stalked off the stage when a moderator, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, cut off his remarks in response to an impassioned monologue by President Peres, who strongly defended Israel's offensive against Gaza.

When Ignatius tried to cut short Erdoğan's remarks, saying it was past time to adjourn for dinner, the Turkish prime minister answered in frustration: “One minute... one minute… one minute… Don't interrupt me. You are not allowing me to speak.” Erdoğan then directed harsh criticism at Peres about Israel's present and past policies against Gaza and walked off the stage when he was interrupted again, saying, “Davos is over for me from now on.”

The more obnoxious Erdogan acts, the more the world kowtows to him.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Davos Conference, Istanbul, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Shimon Peres

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:35 PM