The World Economic Forum in Davos has been criticized for its lack of representation and failure to address the Palestinian issue, according to a senior Palestinian official. Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, chairperson of the Palestinian Investment Fund, expressed his disappointment with the international system, stating that it has consistently failed the Palestinian people. Mustafa’s comments came as Israeli President Isaac Herzog attended the forum to participate in a “special conversation” with its founder and president.
While Mustafa is one of the few high-profile Palestinians invited to Davos, President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian diplomats were notably absent. Mustafa highlighted the double standard in the international system and emphasized the determination of the Palestinian delegation to stay focused on their goals. He acknowledged the opportunity to engage with influential individuals at Davos but called attention to the larger issue of the international system’s failure.
In response to criticism, Davos organizers defended the Middle East representation at the forum, stating that the serious security and humanitarian situation in the region would be a key focus of discussions. They assured that over 50 leaders from the Middle East would be present to share their views on deescalation and diplomacy. However, Mustafa stressed the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where more than 350,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
While Mustafa maintained an optimistic outlook at the forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a passionate speech seeking support against Russia and its “predator” president. The World Economic Forum’s previous stance on Ukraine was seen as a departure from its neutral platform for dialogue and negotiation between conflicting parties. The forum banned Russian diplomats and business executives from attending and even transformed the former Russia House into a Russia War Crimes House.
The forum’s critical stance on Russia raised questions about its consistency in addressing unlawful invasions. Bahraini author Khalid Janahi pointed out the presence of the US and UK in Davos despite their invasion of Iraq in 2003. A forum official responded by stating that the Arabs did not raise any objections at the time. Janahi argued that the Palestinians should be the focus of discussions at Davos, particularly regarding the women and children who are being killed.
The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the destruction of approximately 70 percent of residential buildings and homes, along with damage to churches, mosques, schools, hospitals, and other vital healthcare infrastructure. Only eight out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are currently functioning, leading to a medical crisis. The situation highlights the failure of the World Economic Forum to improve the state of the world for all people.
In conclusion, the World Economic Forum in Davos has faced criticism for its lack of representation and failure to address the Palestinian issue. The limited presence of high-profile Palestinians and the absence of President Mahmoud Abbas and senior diplomats have raised concerns about the international system’s double standard. While Davos organizers defended the Middle East representation, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The forum’s previous stance on Ukraine also raised questions about its consistency in addressing unlawful invasions. The destruction caused by the Israeli bombardment further highlights the forum’s failure to improve the state of the world for all people.