Israeli Cantor Detained at Budapest Airport Over Fake Banknote

Renowned Israeli cantor Elhanan Shimshoni was detained and questioned at Budapest Airport in Hungary on Tuesday night after returning from Uman, Ukraine, where he had been for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. Shimshoni, who was traveling with his two sons, was taken for investigation after a counterfeit banknote was found in his possession. He explained that he had received the fake bill as change from a vendor in Uman and was unaware it was counterfeit.

His children, who were with him on the journey back to Israel, became distressed during the detention and contacted their mother. After several hours, Shimshoni was released and reunited with his sons. However, due to the delay, he missed his scheduled flight back to Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under Minister Gidon Saar, was involved in facilitating his eventual return.