[نصيرة تختوخ]

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stalked off the stage at the World Economic Forum after a sharp exchange with Israeli President Shimon Peres over the fighting in Gaza, calling it "very wrong" and saying "many people have been killed."
The incident came after a lengthy debate at the forum in Davos, Switzerland, about the recent Israeli offensive that claimed about 1,300 Palestinian lives. The packed audience, which included President Obama's close adviser Valerie Jarrett, appeared stunned.
Erdogan tried to rebut Peres as the discussion was ending, asking the moderator, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, to let him speak once more.
"Only a minute," Ignatius replied.
Erdogan said in Turkish that "I remember two former prime ministers in your country who said they felt very happy when they were able to enter Palestine on tanks."
"I find it very sad that people applaud what you said. There have been many people killed. And I think that it is very wrong and it is not humanitarian," he said.
Ignatius said "We can't start the debate again. We just don't have time."

The confrontation saw Peres and Ergodan raise their voice highly unusual at the elite gathering of corporate and world leaders, which is usually marked by learned consensus seeking and polite dialogue. It showed how emotions remain frayed over Israel's offensive against Hamas that ended less than two weeks ago.
A press conference with both men was scheduled for 8:30 pm. Afterward, forum founder Klaus Schwab huddled with Erdogan in a corner of the Congress Center.
"I have know Shimon Peres for many years and I also know Erdogan. I have never seen Shimon Peres so passionate as he was today. I think he felt Israel was being attacked by so many in the international community. He felt isolated," said former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said.
"I was very sad that Ergodan left. This was an expression of how difficult this situation is."
Amr Moussa, the former Egyptian foreign minister who now leads the Arab League, said Ergodan's action was understandable. "Mr Ergodan said what he wanted to say and then he left. That's all. He was right." Of Israel, he said, "They don't listen."
Ergodan brushed past reporters outside the hall. His wife appeared upset. "All Peres said was a lie. It was unacceptable," she said
, Friday 30 January 2009 Guardian.co.uk