Source: Agencies, 30-1-2009

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received a hero's welcome on his return to Istanbul on Friday after he stormed out of a heated debate on "Israel's" Gaza war at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Thousands of people gathered at Istanbul's Ataturk airport to greet Erdogan when he returned, waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and chanting his name.

During the debate, Peres, with a raised voice and a pointed finger at Erdogan, sought to defend "Israel's" massacre of 1,300 Palestinians in 22 days of war on Gaza. "I don't think I will come back to Davos because you don't let me speak," said Erdogan, who then stood up and walked out of the conference hall.

"Do you understand the meaning of a situation where hundreds of rockets are falling a day on women and children who cannot sleep quietly, who need to sleep in shelters? What is the matter with you? You don't understand, and I am not prepared for lies."
Peres's comments were met by hearty applause.

Erdogan asked the moderator, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, to let him speak once more.
"Only a minute," Ignatius replied.
Speaking in Turkish, Erdogan said, "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's not humanitarian."

Apparently, the Turkish Prime Minister was never given the necessary time by Ignatius, to reply.
"We can't start the debate again. We just don't have time," Ignatius said.
"Please let me finish," Erdogan said.

However, Ignatius responded, "We really do need to get people to dinner.
"President Peres, you are older than I am. Maybe you are feeling guilty and that is why you are so strong in your words. You killed people. I remember the children who died on beaches," Erdogan said, through an interpreter.

The Turkish premier then said, "Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I don't think I will come back to Davos after this."
Erdogan criticized the audience of international officials and corporate chiefs for applauding Peres' emotional defense of "Israel's" war against Hamas in Gaza, which left more than 1,300 Palestinians dead.

"I find it very sad that some people applaud what you have said because many people have been killed," he shouted at Peres before being cut off by Ignatius.
However, there was more applause when Erdogan left the stage.

Turkey's state-run Anatolian news agency, quoting unnamed diplomatic sources, said Peres told Erdogan late on Thursday that he was sorry about what had happened during the panel discussion on Gaza.

"I have known 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. "I was very sad that Erdogan left. This was an expression of how difficult this situation is."
The "Israeli" presidency however denied the apology on Friday.
Also on Friday, Erdogan told a news conference that his anger over the operation in Gaza and Peres' remarks was directed not at Jews, but at the "Israeli" administration.
"Our people would have expected the same reaction from any Turkish prime minister," he told a news conference at Ataturk airport.

"This was a matter of the esteem and prestige of my country. Hence, my reaction had to be clear. I could not have allowed anyone to poison the prestige and in particular the honor of my country," he said. "Our reproaches are not against the "Israeli" people or Jews. Our reproach is totally against the "Israeli" administration," Erdogan said.