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Most people are unaware of it, but many of the foreign-brand vehicles sold in the State of Israel are actually built in Turkey, according to a report published Sunday by the Globes business news service.

In fact, a full 10.1 percent of all car and commercial vehicles – 16,400 – were sold in the Jewish State from January to August 2011, in sales worth an estimated NIS 1.64 billion.

According to the report, the following models are produced in Turkey:
Honda Civic
Toyota Yaris
Toyota Verso
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai 120
Renault Cleo
Renault Fluence
Renault Fluence ZE (the Better Place LLC electric car)
Citroen Berlingo van
Fiat Doblo truck
Ford Connect transit van

Despite the simmering political tensions between Jerusalem and Ankara, business people in both countries have continued to conduct their affairs with as little fuss as possible.

However, that came to an end Monday (Sept. 5), when dozens of Israeli business people arriving from Tel Aviv aboard Turkish Airlines were suddenly separated out from the other passengers when they disembarked at Ataturk Airport.

Businesswoman Hayuta Leibovich, one of the dozens of Israelis who were detained by Turkish authorities, told Arutz Sheva that although the flight was one that was exclusive to business travelers, the Israelis were separated out from the other passengers into a corner of the terminal. It reminded her of the Entebbe scenario, she said. “Our passports were taken and we could not enter, simple as that... there were two policemen for every one of us.”

Nearly 90 minutes later, the Israelis were released, she said, their passports were returned and they were allowed to proceed to their destinations.

Industry, Trade and Labor attache Joseph Avraham told Globes that as part of his job, he has also heard complaints from Turkish business people about the “tough attitude” they encounter upon their reception at Ben Gurion International Airport.