Turkey Extends Davos Boycott Over Gaza, Key Economic Officials to Skip Forum

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has decided to extend the country’s boycott of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos for another year, with top economic officials expected to skip the upcoming gathering this month, Bloomberg reports, citing Turkish officials familiar with the matter.

Neither Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek nor central bank Governor Fatih Karahan are anticipated to attend the summit, which is scheduled to begin on January 20, barring a last-minute change in President Erdogan’s position. The decision marks a continued protest against the WEF’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Both the Turkish Presidency and Finance Ministry declined to comment on the matter. The WEF has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The annual Davos summit typically sees the participation of finance ministers and central bank governors, who use the opportunity to attract foreign investment and explain their economic policies to global financial leaders. Both Simsek and Karahan have been actively engaged in international outreach, making regular trips to financial centers like New York and London.

Boycott Stemmed From WEF Stance on Gaza Conflict

Last year, President Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, ordered his government to abstain from the forum. This move came after WEF founder Klaus Schwab condemned Hamas’ October 2023 attacks on southern Israel as “terrorism.” The attacks by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of about 250 hostages.

While the United States, the European Union, and other nations classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, Turkey does not. Turkey has taken various measures in response to the conflict, including halting trade with Israel and preventing the Israeli president from using its airspace. The war in Gaza has resulted in approximately 46,000 fatalities, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.

Escalating Tensions with Israel

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have been further strained by a recent report from a panel appointed by the Israeli government. This report highlighted concerns over Turkey, especially its increasing influence in Syria, which borders Israel, following the ongoing conflict in the region. The report suggests that Turkey is seen as a potential threat in Israel’s long-term defense planning.