Russia Says Airport Detention of Israelis Was Standard Procedure

(MENAFN) Russia has rejected criticism over the brief detention of dozens of Israeli nationals at Moscow’s airport, describing the incident as a standard border security procedure consistent with practices used internationally.

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said that each country applies its own rules when it comes to screening foreign arrivals, adding that similar checks are carried out by Israel as well.

“Every country has its own border procedures for foreign nationals,” she said, according to reports.

She also argued that such measures are applied uniformly and are not targeted at specific nationalities, stating that travelers are processed “in accordance with our legislation in a fully equal and mutually respectful manner,” she said.

The comments came after reports that around 40 Israeli citizens were briefly held at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport after arriving from Tel Aviv. The individuals were reportedly questioned amid suspicions of possible links to ongoing regional hostilities involving Israel and Iran.

The Russian official further noted that Israeli authorities have at times denied entry to Russian citizens without providing detailed explanations, describing this as an ongoing issue that Moscow has repeatedly raised with Israel.

She added that such denials are often justified by Israeli authorities on security grounds, highlighting what she described as reciprocal practices in border enforcement between the two countries.

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