Travelers from Israel to Russia after Israelis delay: "Hope there will be no problems"

In the background of the release of Israelis who were detained in Moscow, some of the Ben Gurion pilots expressed concern. Of Israel to Russian tourists

Travelers from Israel to Russia after Israelis delay: "Hope there will be no problems"

Following the release of the Israelis detained in Moscow, travelers to Russia told us Wednesday evening in a conversation with Walla! NEWS on the sensations ahead of their flight. Michael Gutman expressed no concern about the possibility of being detained at the airport. "Either they'll come in or they won't," he explained. "Max if it doesn't go as planned, we will come home."

On the other hand, Ella from Haifa said that she cared about her family vacation in Moscow. "Certainly I'm worried, hoping we won't have any problems," she said.

40 Israelis were detained earlier today at Demodovo Airport in the Russian capital, and released a few hours later. Citizens' passports were taken and individual questionnaires were made for each of the passengers. They claim they were also taken for fingerprints and facials.

"Maximum we will come home." Michael Gutman (Photo: Dana Yerkatsi)

Michael Gutman, at the airport for his departure for Moscow December 18, 2019 (Photo: Dana Yerkatsi)

Foreign Ministry officials said that there has recently been a change in Russian policy vis-à-vis travelers arriving in Israel. At the same time, the Russian Embassy said that "as of December 1, 5,771 Russian tourists were not allowed into Israel. As of October 2019, 568 Russian tourists have not entered Israel in November 2019 - 569. Every day, about 20 tourists arrive. "Israel with money and organized travel is being detained and sent back to Russia. The Russian side does not respond to decisions by relevant Israeli authorities."

Whitley develops hope that the reason for the delay is Russia's response to the difficulty of its citizens entering Israel. According to him, "Israel is not put in an orderly fashion. It is a nightmare. My brother waited here for seven hours before being admitted even though he did not enter the visa."

Naama Issachar's lawyer en route to Russia: "The verdict must be canceled"

Some argue that the delay is related to the Israeli young woman's affair. Issachar in the prison in Russia

Naama Issachar in Russian Prison October 23, 2019 (Photo: Official Website)

Attorney Kublenko

In the background of the allegations that the delay was linked to the Israeli young woman's case, Naama Issachar, who is imprisoned in Russia, argued that "it is not about her. It is about the fact that there is no order for tourists to enter Israel." Michal, another traveler to Russia, said that "perhaps the story is not directly related to Naama Issachar, but to the tension around the issue."

Issachar's lawyer, Alexei Kublenko, made it clear that there was no connection between the Israeli delay and the young woman's trial.
"The unusual delay may have been in response to Israeli policy," he argued. "Here, too, there is a rigorous examination of all tourists who come from Russia to check whether they intend to settle in the country illegally. Here is a kind of desire to show that Russia can do the same thing that Israel does to its citizens."

Minister Katz: We will lead to a quick solution to the issue of delay

Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in response to the delay in Israelis in Russia that "Israel attaches great importance to its relations with Russia and to the promotion of trade and tourism between the states. Israelis to Russia, and emphasize the dialogue about our anticipation of Naama Issachar's rapid return to her family. "

The Foreign Ministry said: "The issue of delaying the entry of Israelis into Russia will be highlighted in the framework of an Israeli-Russian consular dialogue scheduled for tomorrow in Jerusalem. Israeli delegates will ask for clarifications and explanations from their Russian counterparts. This issue comes after requests by the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem to the Russian Foreign Ministry and even at meetings between Foreign Minister Katz and his Russian counterpart. "

"Of course I'm afraid." Ella from Haifa (Photo: Dana Yerkatsi)

Ella, at the airport ahead of her departure to Moscow on December 18, 2019 (Photo: Dana Yerkatsi)