Israeli couple Mordi and Natalie Oknin welcomed on their arrival home in the Israeli city of Modiin. AFP
Israeli couple Mordi and Natalie Oknin welcomed on their arrival home in the Israeli city of Modiin. AFP
Israeli couple Mordi and Natalie Oknin welcomed on their arrival home in the Israeli city of Modiin. AFP
Israeli couple Mordi and Natalie Oknin welcomed on their arrival home in the Israeli city of Modiin. AFP

Israeli couple free after being held in Turkey on espionage charges


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An Israeli couple held for a week by Turkey on charges of espionage returned home on Thursday.

Mordi and Natalie Oknin arrived in central Israel where they were greeted by family and a crowd of reporters, AP reported.

From the family’s balcony, Ms Orkin thanked all those involved in securing their release.

A statement by Israel’s prime minister and foreign minister earlier announced the release and also expressed gratitude to the president and government of Turkey.

There was no official statement from Turkish officials.

A Turkish citizen arrested with the couple was also released, Turkey’s private DHA news agency reported.

The couple were arrested for espionage last week after taking photographs of the Turkish president’s residence in Istanbul.

Police detained the three individuals after a tip-off from an employee working in a radio and television tower on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. AP
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. AP

The employee claimed that the couple had been taking photographs of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s nearby home from the tower’s restaurant.

They were formally arrested and awaiting trial for “political and military espionage” by an Istanbul court.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid denied after the detention that the couple worked for an Israeli agency.

Once robust regional allies, relations between Israel and Turkey have been at a nadir during Mr Erdogan’s rule.

The Turkish leader is an outspoken critic of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians.

The couple’s arrest threatened to further weaken the relationship, but Israeli officials said the incident showed that the countries’ diplomatic channels remained intact.

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Thanksgiving meals to try

World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.

Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as  well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.

The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.

Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.

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Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.

 
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