MKs' Olympic revenge against Turkey

Group of Knesset members trying to get Istanbul to lose bid to host 2020 Summer Olympics

Reuters | Published: 10.17.11, 08:32

The Israeli revenge over Turkey's protest moves may come from an unexpected direction – and claim a heavy price.

A group of Knesset members have launched an international campaign together with American and European elements in a bid to prevent Istanbul from hosting the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The MKs, led by Deputy Knesset Speaker Danny Danon (Likud), began their campaign in mid August, before Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador and suspended its defense ties with the Jewish state.

Danon, who initiated the move, met with parliament members from different countries – mainly in the United States and Europe – who are considered friends of Israel. He asked them to join the campaign in order to convince their countries' representatives in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) not to vote for Istanbul, which is bidding against Tokyo, Madrid, Rome, Doha and Baku for the opportunity to host the 2020 Olympics.

Besides the potential insult, losing the bid means Turkey will suffer economically, as the Olympic Games are considered a significant development leverage.

MK Danon sent a letter to IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge, pleading with him to cancel Turkey's bid.

"The Olympic Games, which constitute a cultural lighthouse of values, cannot be held in a country whose values contradict everything the Olympic Games stand for," Danon wrote.

"The support for terror and the ties with Iran are only the tip of the iceberg of Turkey's actions. Its entire policy contradicts the cultural values expressed in the Olympic framework. Letting Turkey host the Olympics will stain the reputation of the Western world in general and the Olympic Movement in particular."