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Israel has deported a Russian Orthodox nun who spread antisemitic conspiracy theories and denied Hamas' responsibility for the October 7 massacre, officials confirmed Wednesday.
Yulia Matveyeva, who had been living in an agricultural community outside Jerusalem, was located and held in a detention facility last month before being expelled.
Matveyeva’s visa was revoked in 2023 after she publicly claimed on Russian television that Israel collaborated with Hamas to carry out the deadly October 7 attack, in order to shield Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from ongoing corruption charges. She also accused Netanyahu of plotting to destroy the Al-Aqsa mosque to build the third Jewish Temple in its place.
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The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, which had employed her, dismissed her after Israeli authorities approached the church following her statements.
After losing a legal appeal to reverse her deportation, Matveyeva went into hiding but was later apprehended. She then attempted to claim refugee status, citing fears of persecution in Russia and violations of international law. Israeli courts rejected all of her appeals, ruling that she must also bear the full cost of her legal proceedings.