Israeli couple arrested in Istanbul on suspicion of spying, Israel demands release from Turkey
Israel has urged Turkey to immediately release an Israeli couple accused of spying while taking pictures of the presidential palace in Turkey.
The couple, Natalie and Mordy O'Connor, have been identified by Israel as bus drivers, and last week staff at a Kamalika Tower restaurant in Istanbul reported them to authorities, who then took them into custody. Taken
The local court judge said they should be kept in custody until the trial begins.
The couple's Israeli lawyer says the allegations against them are "baseless" and that Israel insists they have no ties to any Israeli agency.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also spoke in support of the US Alliance, but said that maintaining some independence was not the answer.
''I have spoken to his family and we are trying our best to resolve this issue''.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since the Israeli attack on a Turkish ship bound for Gaza in 2010 to break Israeli sanctions.
The Turkish state news agency reported on Friday that restaurant staff had informed the police about an Israeli couple and a Turkish citizen who were taking pictures of the residence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Authorities questioned the Israeli couple, after which they were sent to court where they were charged with "political and military espionage" and remanded in custody for another 20 days.
The couple's Israeli lawyer, Ner Yaslovitz, denied the allegations and told Israel's Hartz newspaper that "their only guilt was that they took pictures of Erdogan's palace during a boat trip."
The building identified by the couple's lawyer is Istanbul's historic Dolmabache Palace, formerly the presidential residence but has not been used for decades. However, parts of the building are said to be used as presidential offices.
The current presidential residence is Huber Mansion, the second largest in the city.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was "convinced" that the couple was innocent and stressed that they "do not work for any Israeli agency."
On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Air Lipid said in a tweet that Israeli authorities were working "continuously" to secure their release.
Last month, Turkish media reported that Turkish authorities had arrested at least 15 people on suspicion of spying for the Israeli spy agency Mossad, but the former Mossad deputy director denied the allegations.