There were still no El Al flights to and from Turkey today, following last week's sudden announcement by Turkish officials that they can no longer maintain the current Israeli security arrangement in the Istanbul Airport.
Turkish officials refused to continue allowing armed Israeli security agents to operate in Turkish airports. The change in Turkish policy was deemed an unacceptable risk by El Al, Israel's national carrier.
Israeli security services and El Al officials are continuing efforts to negotiate a solution that will satisfy the airline's security needs as well as the concerns of Turkish authorities. Officials are hopeful the matter will be worked out in the near future, even as today's flights have already been canceled. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry is working on a diplomatic level to persuade Turkish officials to comply with El Al's security requirements.
Turkey is a favored vacation spot for Israelis and the cancelled service may impact the summer tourist season should the dispute drag on.
The airline security dispute is the latest in a series of Turkish decisions that have negatively affected relations with Israel. Earlier this month, Turkey recalled Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu along with Jerusalem Consul General Huseyin Bicakli. Officials in Ankara announced the diplomatic officials would return, making no official announcement as to the reason for their return home. In May, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan several times accused Israel of state-sponsored terrorism.
Turkish officials refused to continue allowing armed Israeli security agents to operate in Turkish airports. The change in Turkish policy was deemed an unacceptable risk by El Al, Israel's national carrier.
Israeli security services and El Al officials are continuing efforts to negotiate a solution that will satisfy the airline's security needs as well as the concerns of Turkish authorities. Officials are hopeful the matter will be worked out in the near future, even as today's flights have already been canceled. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry is working on a diplomatic level to persuade Turkish officials to comply with El Al's security requirements.
Turkey is a favored vacation spot for Israelis and the cancelled service may impact the summer tourist season should the dispute drag on.
The airline security dispute is the latest in a series of Turkish decisions that have negatively affected relations with Israel. Earlier this month, Turkey recalled Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu along with Jerusalem Consul General Huseyin Bicakli. Officials in Ankara announced the diplomatic officials would return, making no official announcement as to the reason for their return home. In May, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan several times accused Israel of state-sponsored terrorism.