Israel has cancelled its travel warning on citizens going to Turkey - imposed in the wake of demonstrations against Israel's lethal interception of a Gaza aid flotilla - the head of the anti-terrorism unit, Elkanan Har-Nof, said Wednesday, DPA reported.
Har-Nof said his unit had issued the travel warning on May 31, not because of "real terrorist threats," but because of the mass demonstrations against Israel that followed its open seas seizure of an aid flotilla headed for Gaza.
Israeli naval commandoes shot dead nine activists during the forceful take-over in international waters of the Turkish Mavi Marmara vessel, which along with five other ships had vowed to attempt to breach Israel's blockade of Gaza. It says its soldiers were attacked by knife and stick-wielding protestors during the operation.
Har-Nof told Israel Radio his unit had feared Turkish protesters could turn violent against Israeli tourists during the anti-Israel demonstrations, but the protests had died down and "already for a month-and-a-half there has been quiet."
He nonetheless noted Israeli tourists "may not be welcomed" as warmly as in the past and warned them to remain on guard.