Dozens of Israelis Questioned and Held Briefly at Moscow Airport

Security officials at Domodedovo Airport grilled travelers about Middle East conflicts.

Airport Detention Incident

Israeli officials confirmed that dozens of citizens faced hours of questioning at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport this weekend. Russian security staff reportedly interrogated the travelers regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to media reports, around 40 individuals, including dual nationals, were held for five hours. These passengers arrived in Moscow on a flight from Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Tense Security Interrogations

Security officers allegedly confronted the travelers with political statements during the lengthy sessions. One report claimed an officer stated that Iran’s enemies are also Russia’s enemies. The officials reportedly told the passengers they were not welcome in Moscow. They suggested the travelers should not have visited Russia at all during this time.

Resolution and Release

The group was eventually allowed to enter after signing legal warning documents. Witnesses noted that the officers’ behavior shifted from being rude to very polite. Israel’s foreign ministry intervened quickly to resolve the situation. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and the Israeli Embassy coordinated with Russian authorities. This diplomatic push ensured the release of all detained citizens.

Diplomatic Fallout and Context

The Israeli foreign ministry expressed its strong disapproval of the incident to Russian counterparts. “It was made clear to the Russians that this conduct was completely unacceptable and Israel views the incident very seriously,” a spokesperson stated. This event occurred just days after flights between the nations resumed. Aviation had been halted due to recent military escalations in the Middle East.