Russia dismisses uproar over 40 Israelis' brief detention at Moscow's airport as standard security procedure

• She adds 'we sometimes see very strange denials of entry even for our citizens who wish to travel to Israel'

Russia has dismissed the controversy surrounding the brief detention of 40 Israeli nationals at Moscow's airport, calling it a standard security procedure that authorities have also followed at Tel Aviv.

Every country has its own border procedures for foreign nationals, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Anadolu on Friday, responding to Israeli allegations that Russia detained approximately 40 Israeli citizens at Moscow airport.

Israel sometimes denies entry to Russian citizens without explanation, Zakharova added.

At least 40 Israeli citizens were briefly detained on Sunday after arriving at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport from Tel Aviv, suspected of having direct ties to Israel's war against Iran, Russia's close ally.

"Each country has its own methods. That said, there must be mutual respect. I have no doubt—and the facts confirm this—that Israeli citizens, as well as citizens of other countries, are subject to all border checks in accordance with our legislation in a fully equal and mutually respectful manner," Zakharova said.

"Still, we sometimes see very strange denials of entry even for our citizens who wish to travel to Israel. We have regularly informed the Israeli side about this—not just for a year or two, but on an ongoing basis. However, they explain that this is required by security considerations," she explained.

The official also shared her personal experience, saying Israeli border guards apply the same strict procedures even to diplomatic passport holders.

"I remember when I traveled to Israel. Regardless of what passport you hold—diplomatic, official, or ordinary—you are subject to appropriate security checks and measures," she said. "I remember very well the suitcase I received—it was not the suitcase I had packed in Moscow."

According to Zakharova, she treated the situation with understanding because she was told that her personal belongings had been searched in her absence, as required by security protocols.

"This happened around 2017, and I was there on a pilgrimage to the Holy Fire. Certainly, no one should have expected anything bad from us—only good," she noted.

As for the Israeli recommendation advising its citizens to refrain from travel to Russia, the spokeswoman said she did not understand the grounds for issuing it.

"I do not know what prompted Israel's warning, but they have the right to issue it. They issued a warning — that is their legal right. What is it based on? It is unclear. Are there any grounds for it? No," she stressed.

She also questioned the lack of statements and explanations from Israeli officials regarding the treatment of Russian citizens, including what she described as "strange, inexplicable security checks, detentions, and even entry denials."

"These are good questions — they should be addressed to the Israeli side," she remarked.

Israel's desecration of Jesus Christ's statue in Lebanon

Commenting on the desecration of a statue of Jesus Christ in Lebanon by an Israeli soldier, Zakharova said: "The destruction of a statue of Christ by Israeli military personnel in a settlement in southern Lebanon is an act of vandalism and cannot be justified in any other way."

She noted that Israeli officials issued public apologies regarding the incident.

Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing the statue with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army acknowledged the incident in a statement on Monday.

The incident was not the first involving damage to Christian religious symbols in Lebanon.

"They did not dismiss it as fake news, photo manipulation, deepfakes, or anything of the sort. Instead, they stated that those responsible will be punished. This is extremely important, and we commend the official structures of Israel," she said.

According to her, it was equally important that on April 23, with the assistance of peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the cross was restored.