An unusual incident occurred at noon (Tuesday) at Ben Gurion Airport: Nick Kolyukhin, an Israeli-Russian freelance journalist, was removed from the Prime Minister's 'Wing of Zion' flight - just before takeoff to Washington for Netanyahu's meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Kolyukhin, who was part of the press delegation accompanying the prime minister, was detained minutes before takeoff and removed from the plane.
The journalist, who immigrated to Israel as a child and served in the IDF, claims that this was a decision made solely by security officials, without him being given any information about the reason for his removal from the plane. It should be noted that his joining the trip was approved in advance.
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Kolyukhin accused in a conversation with Channel 12: "I was taken off the flight in front of all the reporters, just before takeoff - they told me that my connections had to be checked. It was a very difficult moment. I felt humiliated. They told me, 'Take your suitcases and bags,' and they took me off the flight.".
He said: "I immigrated to Israel as a child, served full military service in combat units and in the reserves, and over the years I have worked as a freelance journalist for media outlets from various countries. I was not told that I was ineligible, I was not shown any documents. They simply took me aside and made it clear that I was not getting on the flight.".
Kolyukhin noted that the decision to remove him from the plane was made solely by security officials, and even though he had received permission to join the flight. "If there are tests, do them in advance. Why at the last minute, and why without an explanation?".
The Prime Minister's Office said: "Security officials decided not to approve the reporter's joining the flight due to security considerations, but cannot provide details at this stage.".
The Shin Bet stated: "In accordance with the service's designation and functions according to law, the service is entrusted, among other things, with the security of the Prime Minister. Within this framework, decisions are made to reduce the risk to the Prime Minister and the information surrounding him. Naturally, it is not possible to address the reasons underlying individual decisions.".
