Despite the hostility between the governments, Turkey has always been considered one of the favorite destinations of Israelis.
For most of the Corona period, Turkey was a red state, and since it was removed from the list of countries banned from flying, many Israelis have flown on holiday to the country's cities, partly due to cheap prices and the dramatic drop in the Turkish pound against the shekel.
Only about five years ago, Turkey suffered a wave of terrorist attacks across the country, in which four Israelis were killed and several others were injured, during a culinary trip that took place in the city, but even then Israeli tourists flocked to the Islamic State en masse.
The corona, on the other hand, arrested the Israeli tourist, and also only because of the ban on entering the country.
Today, Turkey is considered an orange country, and Israelis come to it as usual.
Natalie and the Oknin rebels, Photo: Courtesy of the family
On the famous Istiklal Street, which is considered the "Fifth Avenue" of Istanbul, we saw this morning (Sunday) the Israelis who do not miss the clothing stores and the fish and sweet restaurants that are here on every corner.
One of those Israelis is Smadar Yaron, a resident of the center of the country who came to travel in the country with her husband.
Smadar flew to Turkey on Friday, when reports began to be received of the couple Natalie and the Oknin rebels arrested after photographing President Erdogan's palace.
Yaron says that on Friday evening, after it was decided to extend the two's detention, they began receiving anxious phone calls from Israel: We calmed them down. "
She added: "It's definitely a bit stressful to hear such a thing, and I do not understand how they even got into such an absurd situation because of a picture, but we decided to drive more carefully, not argue with locals, especially not with taxi drivers who have already tried to oppress us, and hope nothing happens "And let's continue to eat well and buy nonsense cheaply."
Eli and Nir, good friends from the center of the country who arrived in Turkey on Thursday, said the incident had stressed their parents, but they did not feel the pressure on the Turkish street.
"We came to enjoy, eat good food, buy cheap clothes and that's it. The Turks are very nice. Last night we went out, everything here is packed with people, we have fun and feel safe," Nir said.
Prime Minister Bennett, Photo: Mark Israel Salem
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid held a consultation this morning regarding the Oknin couple.
In the conversation, which was attended by the head of the National Security Council, Dr. Eyal Hulta, the efforts made during the weekend were reviewed, and it was agreed to continue to address the issue at the senior levels in Israel.
Bennett, by the way, spoke last night with the family members of Natalie and Mordi, and asked to strengthen them and update them on the efforts being made to bring them back to Israel.
Bennett told them that the highest echelons in Israel had been dealing with the issue throughout the weekend, and that they would continue to work to bring about a solution to the case as early as possible.
Natalie's daughter, Shiraz Ben Harush, was interviewed by News 12 on Tuesday, saying the whole incident began after her mother sent her pictures she had taken.
"They knew a couple of local friends, one of whom was also arrested. I'm speechless, I just want my mother back, to hug her. I can not tell her I love her. I am helpless without hearing her," she said.