Russian immigrants (new olim) attend an event marking the 25th anniversary of the great Russian aliyah to Israel from the former Soviet Union at the Jerusalem Convention Center on Dec. 24, 2015. Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90.

The head of an Israeli government agency that assists Jews in the Diaspora to make Aliyah was briefly detained in Russia last week, it was reported on Tuesday.

Alon Shoham, the CEO of Nativ, a directorate within the Prime Minister’s Office which helps Jews from former Soviet Union countries move to Israel, was in Russia for a number of meetings when he was stopped by authorities at the airport on his way out. According to media reports, after the diplomat handed airport security his passport for inspection, they noticed stamps from his frequent visits to Ukraine, which prompted the brief detention.

After explaining that the visits were part of his official capacity as head of Nativ, Shoham was released only to be detained once again minutes before his flight was set to take off. Ultimately, Shoham was let go and returned to home to Israel later that day.

As a result of the incident, the Russian Embassy in Israel issued a formal apology to the government due to the questioning. It is not known exactly the reason why Shoham was questioned so extensively, particularly since Shoham travels with a diplomatic passport and has previously served as the Israeli ambassador to Belarus. As per Israel’s Channel 12, government officials believe the move was intended to “send a message.”

The brief detainment of the Israeli diplomat comes as a meeting between the different Palestinian groups, including the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, is scheduled for February 26 in Moscow, following an invitation by Russia.

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told the Munich Security Conference this past weekend “Russia has invited all Palestinian factions who will be meeting on the 26 of this month in Moscow. We will see if Hamas is ready to come to the ground with us.” In response to a question about working with the terror group, “We are ready to engage. If Hamas is not, then that’s a different story. We need Palestinian unity.”

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has not been particularly friendly to Israel since war broke out on October 7, after Hamas terrorists raided southern Israel, killing over 1,200 and taking hostage more than 240. Putin has spoken with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, telling him in December “Russia will continue to supply the Gaza Strip with essential goods, including medicines and medical equipment.” Putin called the situation in Gaza a “catastrophe” in previous comments.