Political source for "Israel Today": "Erdogan brought back the Oknin couple in person", Bennett is expected to speak with him | Israel today

Arrived at home:

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is expected to call Turkish President Erdogan in the coming hours and thank him for the release of the Akunin couple, who landed in Israel this morning (Thursday).

A political source told Israel Today that the Turkish president's personal involvement enabled the end of the affair and new specifications that reached Israel today about the process that led to the happy ending of the affair, show that once Erdogan's bureau recognized the compromise and gave approval to end it.

The exciting encounter between Natalie and the Oknin rebels and their son Ofek

The Israeli effort to release the couple began immediately upon learning of the couple's extension of detention on Friday.

Prime Minister Bennett has two daily assessments of the situation to examine where things stand.

The discussions were attended by Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and senior officials of the ministry, Mossad chief Dedi Barnea and his representatives, National Security Council chief Eyal Hulta and his representatives, and other senior officials.

Keep a low profile

A political source close to the details told Israel Today that Lapid and Bennett had made a joint decision to keep the Israeli involvement in the affair as low as possible and to avoid mixing political considerations, in order to bring a quick and positive end to the affair.

The assessment in Israel was that avoiding statements would help end the affair quickly.

The Oknin couple on the balcony of their house, Photo: Jonathan Shaul

Another decision by Bennett was to activate all possible elements in the affair, in order to bring it to an end.

Accordingly, the institution was recruited with the personal involvement of the head of the organization, Dedi Barnea.

According to foreign publications, Barnea spoke with his Turkish counterpart, and gave his word that the Oknin couple are not spies, the Turks were convinced by his words.

In fact this was the turnaround that eventually enabled their release. 

After about a week in a Turkish prison: The couple Mordi and Natalie Oknin landed in Israel / Photo: Airports Authority

It should be noted that while the release efforts continued, Bennett and his men maintained close contact with the couple's children.

The Prime Minister has pledged to them that all state systems are making every effort to free the parents and therefore there is no need for a public campaign.

The head of the staff in his office, Tal Gan Zvi, continued in close contact with his daughter Shiraz, and constantly updated her on developments, and the Bennett office evaluates her performance in moments of crisis.

The US has been updated on developments

The Prime Minister also greatly appreciates the contribution of Mossad chief Dedi Barnea.

"He works quietly and works well. The cooperation between them was excellent," a political source told Israel Today.

At the same time, it should be noted that during the affair, Israel updated the United States and other countries on what was happening and the Prime Minister's Office examined the possibility of requesting assistance from third countries, but in the end it was not necessary.

Earlier in the day, the rebels and Natalie Oknin returned to Israel after the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Minister announced in the early hours of the morning that they had been released from detention following joint efforts with Turkey. Israel Today has learned that the Oknin couple received the news of their release as early as yesterday afternoon. 

The Oknin family home this morning,

"We would like to express our great appreciation to the Oknin family for firmly standing in the complex situation and for open and warm cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Special thanks to President Herzog for his efforts to bring them home," the Prime Minister's Office and Foreign Ministry added. There are many behind-the-scenes conversations with all the relevant parties. "

"Thank you to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State," Natalie and Mordi said from the balcony of their home.

"Thank you to the President of the State, thank you to all the people of Israel. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported. Thank you to Mayor Haim Bibbs and the Modiin Municipality. To the Egged family, thank you to Nir Jaslovitch."

A senior source confirmed to Israel Today this morning that the Mossad intervened in favor of the release of the Oknin couple.

At the same time, a senior official in the political system clarified that "there was no consideration for the Turks in exchange for the release of the Oknin couple."

The talks with the Turks took place on several channels, in coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Mossad and the National Security Council.

"Welcome back to Israel!", Said President Yitzhak Herzog.

"Natalie and Mordi - how good it is that you came home. Warmly embrace you and your family. Congratulations to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and all those involved in the redemption work that is forbidden to bring the Oknin couple home. I thank the President of Turkey and his government for their cooperation."

At the same time, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke with the Oknin family.

"Shiraz, you see, I told you we do everything, and we really did everything," Bennett told her daughter.

"You were a great partner. The restraint of the family was very essential these days. Give a hug in my name to the little horizon. Here, Mom and Dad are coming home. I hope you have calm days now. I'm glad they're coming back to you."

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid added that "Shiraz and Eran and the whole family, you are amazing. I am excited with you, we accompanied you all week, we promised that we will do everything to bring them back to you and here they are on the way home. Hug them tight from us too."

Shiraz, Natalie Oknin's daughter: "We are in the clouds"

"There was an arrest and they checked what needed to be checked," said Adv. Nir Jaslovitch at the entrance to the Oknin family. "I am a lawyer, a lawyer who does his job. The effort was combined with the political system. "We had to strengthen them and return them safely to Israel - in a good mental state. We were up to the task."

Participating in the preparation of the article:

Daniel Roth-Avnery, Yuri Yalon and Dean Shmuel Elmas