Russia expelled senior Israeli diplomat Shmuel Polishuk on allegations of espionage, intelligence gathering, and actions which violate bilateral agreements. Based at the Israeli Embassy in Moscow, Polishuk is the Chief Consul and local director of Nativ Liaison Bureau of the Prime Minister's Office, which seeks to encourage immigration from Russia.

The diplomat returned to Israel on Tuesday after the Russian authorities gave him five days to leave the country. Last week he was detained for questioning by the Russian Federal Counterintelligence Service (FSK). Since Polishuk holds a diplomatic passport, he is immune from arrest or being put on trial; instead he was released and ordered to leave the country.