President Isaac Herzog referred to as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at this time, thanking him for enabling Natali and Mordi Oknin to return to Israel. Based on an announcement from his workplace, Herzog thanked Erdogan “for his personal involvement and contribution” to securing the discharge of the Oknins. The assertion mentioned that of their dialog, Erdogan “emphasised the significance that he attaches to relations with Israel, which he mentioned had been of key significance to the peace, stability and safety of the Center East.” The assertion additionally famous that Herzog welcomes a complete dialogue between Israel and Turkey on bilateral and regional points.
The Israeli couple was freed this morning after eight days of detention in Istanbul for suspected espionage. They had been arrested Nov. 9 after taking images of the president’s palace whereas visiting the Camlica Tower. A workers member noticed them taking footage of the palace and referred to as the police, who got here to the venue and arrested them and a Turkish good friend who accompanied them. They had been held individually and their lawyer and representatives of the Israeli Consulate had been licensed to see them solely after a number of days of detention.
For the reason that arrest, Israel worked in several diplomatic channels to safe their launch, emphasizing that the couple, each bus drivers, had been no spies. They’d taken the images of the presidential palace with out realizing that doing so was forbidden by Turkish legislation. Publications within the Turkish press criticized the authorities for arresting the vacationers over taking footage in Istanbul.
When the Turkish authorities agreed to launch them, Israel despatched a non-public jet to deliver them house. The operation was saved secret till they landed at Ben Gurion Airport. Talking at a press convention exterior the household’s house within the metropolis of Modiin, Natali Oknin mentioned, “We need to thank all the people of Israel who supported our nation and household. Thanks to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, International Minister Yair Lapid, President Isaac Herzog. We had been jailed for eight days and nights. Our personal non-public Hanukkah miracle occurred and at this time we returned house to our household and to our kids. … Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, we need to thanks from the underside of our hearts. You went above and past for us. You turned the world the wrong way up and also you stood by our facet.”
Natali added, “We’re each Egged drivers. We’re pleased with our work. I really like my passengers and need to get back to work already. I need to get again to bus line 83, to all my passengers who know me and help me.”
