[AFP/Hurriyet-Turkey] The number of Israeli tourists visiting Turkey has plunged by a record 60.5% in the first five months of the year, following Ankara's fierce criticism of Israel's war in Gaza. Turkey attracted only 64,200 tourists from Israel between January and May, compared to 162,600 in the same period last year, the tourism ministry said Wednesday. A total of 558,200 Israelis traveled to Turkey in 2008, making it their top holiday destination. The drastic decline followed a public row in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 29, when Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan accused Israel of "barbarian" acts and told Israeli President Peres, "you know well how to kill people."
2009-07-08 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive