Israel calls on nationals to leave Turkey over Iranian terror threat
After the uncovering of an Iranian plot to target Israelis in Turkey, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called on Israeli nationals to leave the country immediately.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid issued an unusual warning today, urging Israeli tourists in Istanbul to come home without delay.
He tweeted, “Following developments in Turkey in recent weeks and after a series of Iranian terror attack attempts against Israeli tourists in Istanbul, we call on Israelis: Do not fly to Istanbul. And unless travel in really essential, don’t travel to Turkey. If you are already in Istanbul, return to Israel as soon as possible. The Israeli security agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister's office have all participated in recent weeks in a tremendous effort that saved the lives of Israelis. Some of them have returned to Israel and wander among us without knowing that their lives had been saved.” Lapid added, “If you have planned a flight to Istanbul, cancel. No vacation is worth your life and the lives of your loved ones.”
Lapid thanked the Turkish authorities “for their efforts to protect the lives of Israeli citizens," saying, "Tourism to Turkey is important to both countries, but they too understand that there are risks that must not be taken. We hope and believe that this warning will not be long term. We are at the middle of the vacation period. We will make every possible effort to reestablish calm so that Israelis can go back to Turkey and enjoy all that it has to offer.”
In parallel to Lapid's message, Israel's National Security Council updated its travel warning on Turkey, grading it now at the highest level, and recommending Israelis to avoid unnecessary traveling to all Turkish territories.
