There can be no doubt that Turkish officials are determined to create a total breakdown in diplomatic ties with Israel as is illustrated in the latest action against Israelis.

A number of Israelis on board a Turkish Airlines flight were detained and their passports confiscated after landing in Turkey on Monday (Sept.5). The passengers were on flight 793 to Istanbul, which departed from Ben-Gurion International Airport at 5:00am.

According to one passenger, Chayuta Leibowitz, who makes the trip every six weeks for the past ten years, today’s arrival resulted in a most unpleasant situation, calling it “a trauma”.

“We arrived on time, at 7:30am, and as I made my way to the exit I and others began realizing the Israelis are being moved to one corner of the terminal, isloated”. Speaking to Israel Radio, Yehuda added, “It appears we were mostly businesspeople, not tourists. Passport control officials took the passports and we were instructed to remain in a corner. No one explained anything but police moved in quickly, about 50 of them, and this in its own right was a strange site.

“We then realized that we are being detained and some of us began using cellular telephones to notify the consulate and others. We realized we are not being permitted to enter Istanbul. Events quickly made their way to the situation room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It took about 90 minutes until we were released, during which time no one explained a thing to us. The local police held the passports. There were no at all sympathetic.

“A number of the group holding diplomatic passports were released early on. Ultimately, the passports were returned and we were permitted to leave the terminal area. We learned later that the baggage handlers removed our luggage from the turntable and slammed them down to damage the contents as much as possible. This incident will not be forgotten. For me, this represents a new reality. It will be difficult but I must find another option, a different textile source for my business. It is clear that this cannot continue”.

Their bags were opened and some laptops were inspected as well, and members of the group detained indicated the police hadn’t a clue why they were opening the bags, but they did it.

Some passengers report they were compelled to undress, and in some cases, the batteries of their cellular telephones were confiscated. All present agreed it was obvious that authorities were out to embarrass them as much as possible.

An Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman confirmed receiving a report of 40 Israelis detained in the Istanbul Airport for 90 minutes. The ministry was in contact with its Turkish counterpart during the ordeal, and was told the Turkish Foreign Ministry never issued such an order and was unaware of the event until receiving notification from Israel. The spokesman added the incident is under investigation.

Israeli media reports indicate the move is a response to Turkey’s anger of the release of the Palmer Report and Israel’s refusal to issue an apology over the naval commando raid on the Marmara. This has lead to a sudden and significant breakdown in diplomatic relations between Turkey and Israel.

Leibowitz concluded that she is more than willing to reorganize her entire business life and move to another venue if that is what it takes, but under no circumstances should Jerusalem apologize for the Marmara commando operation as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is demanding.

In a related matter, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry today is expected to inform senior officials in the Israeli Embassy that they must leave the country within 48 hours. It appears this will include the ambassador, consul general and other senior officials. Lower level employees will be permitted to remain.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)