Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke today (Thursday) with the couple Natalie and the Oknin rebels, who were released from detention in Turkey and returned to their families in Israel.
Prime Minister Bennett and Foreign Minister Lapid in conversation with the Oknin couple // Photo: Omar Miron / GPO
Prime Minister Bennett opened the conversation and said: "The Oknin family, good morning to you, Naftali Bennett speaks, and alongside Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
Welcome to Israel.
We're glad you arrived safely.
How do you feel?"
The Oknin rebels replied: "We are fine, a little excited about everything that has happened in the country. Everyone has joined the task of getting us out of this thing. All thanks to us, to you, to the government, to you, to Yair Lapid, the foreign minister, and to the honorable president."
The Oknin couple on a flight to Israel // Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Natalie Oknin: "Your Honor, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, we want to tell you from the bottom of our hearts - it is not obvious what you did. You turned worlds, you were by our side. "You talked to my sisters, to my brother, to my daughter Shiraz, to everyone. I know the whole government has joined in, you have made worlds for us, it is not obvious at all. We are grateful. We are strong thanks to you."
Foreign Minister Lapid joined the conversation and asked: "Natalie, how did Ofek react when you came home?"
Natalie Oknin replied: "He was happy, he jumped on me, I jumped on him, kisses, hugs, it was amazing, it was exciting, it was unique.
"I am really speechless. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. There is no one like you, no one about you, I am proud that you are in my government, I am proud of you. You have saved the world and its fullness."
Foreign Minister: "It's all that saves one soul."
Natalie Oknin: "You saved one soul and another, and you actually saved the whole world and united the whole people of Israel."
The celebrations at the Oknin family home,
PM: "I want to tell you that you have a very special family that has shown so much responsibility and restraint during the week, we in turn have worked day and night.
With the help of God and blessed be God, you are here.
May you have a calm Sabbath and a calm period.
The foreign minister worked very, very hard to reach this moment. "
Foreign Minister: "Listen, Shiraz is an amazing girl. This thing that a 20-year-old girl led all this. We send you a hug and love from all the people of Israel, and go to bed for about 20 hours in my opinion. I go to sleep for 20 hours."
Natalie Oknin: "At least 20 hours."
Foreign Minister: "Have a good Shabbat, Shabbat Shalom."
Natalie Oknin: "Thank you very much, from all of us, from the whole family, small, small, extended, from all the people of Israel. Thank you for restoring the trust of the government to all the people."
PM Olmert: "On this day, all the people of Israel are the family of us all, together. Shabbat Shalom."
Natalie Oknin: "Shiraz wants you."
The Oknin family home this morning,
PM Olmert: "Shiraz, we are considering recruiting you to a special unit in the country, well done to you."
Shiraz Oknin: "I'm in favor."
PM Olmert: "You performed exceptionally well and were calm and restrained."
Foreign Minister: "And very strong."
Shiraz Oknin: "Thank you. You promised me and you kept it, and I will be grateful to you forever. You gave me back my parents and that's the most important thing to me in the world. I have no words, I really have no words. I'm been crazy this morning. Thank you, just thank you."
Foreign Minister: "Shiraz, in the first conversation you told me 'think it's your parents', so I thought it was my parents, and the prime minister thought it was his parents and that's why it worked out."
Natalie and the Oknin rebels // Photo: Courtesy of the family,
Shiraz Oknin: "You said that and I cried tears."
PM Olmert: "Do not forget to go to the synagogue to bless the retribution."
Shiraz Oknin: "Right, sure."
Natalie Oknin: "Everything that is needed without a vow we will do."
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister: "Shabbat Shalom, we love you very much."
