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Mordy and Natali Oknin

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens to Russian President Vladimir Putin (not seen) during their meeting in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Sept. 29, 2021. (Vladimir Smirnov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
March 9, 2022, 8:06 am
As ties come out deep freeze, the ups and downs of Israel-Turkey relations
With Herzog making first high-level Israeli state visit to Ankara in over a decade, a look back at the rollercoaster of ties between the two nations in recent years
By AFP and ToI Staff
Israeli lawyer Maya Reiten. (Facebook)
November 28, 2021, 10:45 am
Israeli held in Belarus on suspicion of smuggling in 2.5 grams of medical marijuana
Lawyer Maya Rayten-Stol was arrested in Minsk airport 3 weeks ago; Foreign Ministry says Israeli ambassador visited her in jail
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett meets with Natali Oknin in his office on November 22, 2021. (Haim Zach / GPO)
November 22, 2021, 6:06 pm
‘I’m so happy to see you’: PM meets Israeli couple freed from Turkish prison
After Mordy and Natalie Oknin’s return, ending 8-day detention on espionage suspicions, Bennett says he was ‘very moved’ by their prayers
By ToI Staff
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seen during an official state visit to Angola at the presidential palace in Luanda, on October 18, 2021. (Osvaldo Silva/AFP)
November 19, 2021, 4:19 am
Report: To help free Israeli couple, Erdogan sought public gratitude from PM
After Bennett and Herzog’s calls to thank Turkish leader for release of Oknins, TV report says these were a demand made by the latter for his assistance
By ToI Staff
Natali and Mordy Oknin, who were held in Turkey for a week on suspicion of espionage, speak to journalists hours after they were released at their home in Modiin, on November 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
November 18, 2021, 10:14 pm
‘I didn’t think I’d get home alive’: Israeli couple recalls Turkish custody
Back in Israel, Natali Oknin thanks officials for efforts to set her and husband Mordy free, says she just wants to go back to driving her bus
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (Composite/AP)
November 18, 2021, 8:18 pm
Bennett thanks Erdogan for releasing Israeli couple, in first-ever call between them
PM praises Turkish president’s ‘personal involvement,’ says strong communication between countries enabled efficient and discreet resolution of incident
By ToI Staff
President Isaac Herzog (left) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right). (AP)
November 18, 2021, 1:48 pm
With couple freed, Erdogan tells Herzog Turkey-Israel ties key to regional security
Presidents speak by phone, express desire for comprehensive dialogue as Natali and Mordy Oknin make it home after 8 days in detention
By Lazar Berman
Natali and Mordy Oknin, who were held in Turkey for a week on suspicion of espionage, speak to journalists hours after they were released at their home in Modiin, on November 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
November 18, 2021, 1:42 pm
Local arrest that was spiraling into crisis: Turkey’s detention, release of Israelis
Turkey said to tell Israel no state role in arrests; Herzog thanks Erdogan for ‘personal involvement’ in return of couple held on spying claims, talks of holding peace ‘dialogue’
By ToI Staff
Natali and Mordy Oknin, who were held in Turkey for a week on suspicion of espionage, speak to journalists hours after they were released at their home in Modiin, November 18, 2021 (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
November 18, 2021, 12:46 pm
Israelis freed from Turkish prison: ‘A Hanukkah miracle — we were jailed for 8 days’
Natali Oknin thanks Bennett, Lapid, Herzog; says she wants to get back to work driving a bus; no official statement from Ankara; Turkish citizen arrested with couple also released
By ToI Staff
Mordy and Natali Oknin embrace their daughter Shiraz after landing back in Israel on November 18, 2021 (Screencapture/Airport's Authority)
November 18, 2021, 11:17 am
Media blackout and smokescreens: How Israel released a couple from Turkish detention
Mordy and Natali Oknin’s family reportedly knew of the progress for many hours, but all involved kept silent; phone call by Natali to family was released publicly as diversion
By Stuart Winer and ToI Staff
Israeli couple Mordi and Natalie Oknin, who were held in Turkey for a week on suspicion of espionage, are greeted upon their arrival home in Modiin on November 18, 2021 following their release. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)
November 18, 2021, 5:17 am
Israeli couple arrive home after being held in Turkish prison as suspected spies
Israel thanks President Erdogan for helping end saga of Natali and Mordy Oknin, arrested last week for photographing his Istanbul palace; couple thanks ‘entire nation of Israel’
By Tal Schneider and ToI Staff
The family of Natali and Mordy Oknin speak by phone with Natali on November 17, 2021, for the first time since she and her husband were arrested eight days earlier in Turkey. The couple, both Egged bus drivers, are being held separately and face espionage accusations, which they and the Israeli government firmly deny. (Channel 13 screenshot)
November 17, 2021, 9:53 pm
‘It’s tough but I’m strong’: Woman held in Turkey speaks with family for 1st time
Natali Oknin, who was arrested with her husband Mordy last week for photographing Erdogan’s palace, tells her children and sister, ‘If you’re strong, I’m strong’
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaks at a press conference in Jerusalem, on November 6, 2021 (Haim Zach/GPO)
November 17, 2021, 4:15 pm
Bennett speaks with relatives of Israeli couple held by Turkey
Prime Minister’s Office says premier called members of Oknin family ‘to express he stands with them’ and to thank them for their ‘responsibility and restrained conduct’
By ToI Staff
Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar leads a New Hope faction meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on November 8, 2021. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
November 17, 2021, 1:20 pm
Justice minister says Israelis held in Turkey were arrested ‘for no reason’
Gideon Sa’ar notes it’s not in interest of Turkish tourism for travelers to fear visiting the country; increased profile of case in Turkey raises concerns swift solution fading
By Stuart Winer and ToI Staff
Natali Oknin appears in an advertisement for the Egged bus company. (Screenshot/YouTube)
November 17, 2021, 1:40 am
Israeli detained in Turkey: Do they think spies appear in bus company commercials?
Natali Oknin, held on suspicion of espionage, has featured in several ads for her employer, Egged; lawyer files appeal with Turkish court against couple’s detention
By ToI Staff
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