Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Russia Briefly Detains Dozens of Israelis at Moscow Airport

Israel says a diplomatic intervention secured the travelers' entry.

Overview

  • Israeli officials confirmed that Russian security held and questioned a group of Israeli passengers at Domodedovo Airport after a flight from Tel Aviv.
  • Mediazona, an opposition outlet, reported roughly 40 detainees while an Israeli source said the figure was somewhat lower but close to that number.
  • Passengers were separated for interviews that included requests to unlock phones, which they refused, and officials then required devices to be powered down.
  • According to the same report, some travelers were denied food, water, or restroom access for hours and were released only after signing warnings about Russian law.
  • Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar directed an intervention that led to the group’s entry, and one outlet reported Israel later issued a travel warning as Russia’s ambassador disputed the allegations.