Israel's foreign minister officially thanked Ankara for helping to thwart an alleged Iranian plot targeting Israeli tourists in Istanbul, in a further sign of a revival in ties between the two countries.
Yair Lapid called his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday to thank him for his country’s efforts to protect Israeli tourists, according to the Israeli media.
Israel this week raised its risk warning for travel to Istanbul to four, the highest level, citing the threat of an Iran-led plan to target Israeli visitors to Turkey’s economic and cultural hub.
The security notice issued by Israel's Counter Terrorism Bureau, which is affiliated to the National Security Council, excluded flights with connections in Istanbul as long as Israelis do not leave the airport.
Israel earlier this month reissued a travel warning for Turkey over what the government said were Iranian attempts to attack Israeli targets around the world, but especially in Turkey.
Mr Lapid spoke on Monday about “a series of attempted Iranian terrorist attacks” against Israelis on holiday in Istanbul.
“We call on Israelis not to fly to Istanbul, and unless there is an essential need: do not fly to Turkey at all. If you are already in Istanbul, return to Israel as soon as possible,” Mr Lapid said, in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry.
“In recent weeks, Israeli security services, the ministry of foreign affairs, and the prime minister's office have put tremendous effort into saving Israeli lives, some of whom have returned to Israel and are walking among us without knowing their lives were saved.”
The warnings come amid the latest surge in tensions between Iran and Israel, with Tehran blaming Israeli security services for a series of attacks on its nuclear and military infrastructure as well as scientists and Revolutionary Guard members.
Iran has not officially commented on the Israeli allegations and its foreign ministry’s Twitter account was highlighting visits by high-level delegations from Pakistan, Nigeria and Turkmenistan.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian held a phone conversation on Tuesday with Mr Cavusoglu to “discuss the latest developments in bilateral relations”, according to the ministry’s website.
“In the phone talks, the Iranian foreign minister stressed the need to keep up the consultations between the two countries and promote co-operation, especially in bilateral trade and consular issues,” the statement said.
Turkey responded to the Israeli security warnings by assuring the world that it is a safe country.
“These travel warnings are considered to be related to different international developments and motives”, its foreign ministry said.
Israel and Turkey's long-running co-operation has been under strain over the past decade. Diplomatic ties hit an all-time low in 2010 when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists aboard a Turkish-owned ship in international waters.
The Mavi Marmara was part of a flotilla attempting to break a blockade on the Gaza Strip. Israel said its special forces were attacked first by the activists, contrary to Turkey's account of the incident.
In 2016, Israel and Turkey officially announced the end of their six-year diplomatic rift. Both countries have maintained strong co-operation for many years, especially in the fields of science, technology, trade and agriculture.
Turkey became the first Muslim-majority country to recognise Israel in 1949.
In May, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog in Ankara, calling it a “historic visit that will be a turning point in relations”.
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
