"Despite the long history between us, the Iranians probably do not want there to be a close relationship between the Turks and the Israelis."
So said yesterday Burke Ortech, a local tour guide in Istanbul.
Ortech, which has worked for many years as a tour guide, has not yet experienced a change in the groups that arrive due to the unusual travel warning.
Although he guides tourists from all over the world, he says Israelis are much more comfortable.
"Israelis love and know how to travel. I meet people from Israel who travel seven times a year, while tourists from the rest of the world do it maybe once a year," Ortek said.
Policemen in Istanbul (archive), Photo: Reuters
Meanwhile, precisely with the warming of relations with Turkey and the cessation of the corona, came the unusual travel warning from the National Security Council that devoured the cards. Ortek itself does not feel the decline, maybe five percent of Israelis canceled, “We are in the Middle East and the mess is never over.
"The Iranians do not want us to be close, because it seems that if Turks and Israelis are close, it is not good for other countries in the Middle East."
"Always be careful"
The Ottomans have been in Palestine for 400 years, and we and Israel will continue to be close, "Ortek says, adding:" There is no doubt that there is something real about this threat, but we should not go too crazy.
The Iranians are outraged by what is happening, because they made the Israelis think twice before coming here.
"They do not want us to be close, because otherwise they would have gone to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, where there are also many Israelis. I believe that your country is more dangerous than the Iranians who come to Turkey. Anything can happen."
Israelis board a flight to Istanbul, Photo: Avi Cohen
Regarding what is happening now in Istanbul, Ortech says that Israelis are of course much more worried than tourists who come from other countries and who are not aware of the drama that is taking place these days, because the local media almost completely ignores it.
Moreover, of all the warnings from Israel, there was only one article in the local media.
In any case, he said, the police officers stationed on the streets soak up an atmosphere of security.
"I always think I should be careful, talk less in the center and on the buses and the metro, and that is true not only for Israelis but also for the Turks that I take them on trips around the world. We are not loved either."
Meanwhile, local markets - such as the Egyptian market or the Grand Bazaar - are tiredly crowded with local tourists and from all over the world, including Israelis.
Ahmet, the seller of nuts in the Egyptian market, told us that recently he sees many Israelis again, and was not even aware that there was such a severe warning.
"I love the Israelis. I was not at all aware that there was a danger to Israelis in Istanbul, even though the Iranians also come here to buy. One thing is for sure - most Turks love the Israelis."
Another reliable seller claims that it is precisely in the crowded markets that there is less danger to Israelis.
"The market here is crowded and also flooded with police. I find it hard to believe that someone would actually come to such a crowded place and try to snatch a person from here."
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