Hundreds of people stormed into the main airport in Russia’s Dagestan region and rushed onto the landing field, chanting antisemitic slogans and seeking passengers arriving on a flight from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, Russian news agencies and social media reported.
Quick Read
- Hundreds of people stormed into the main airport in Russia’s Dagestan region.
- They rushed onto the landing field, chanting antisemitic slogans.
- They sought passengers arriving from Tel Aviv, Israel.
- The incident was reported by Russian news agencies and social media.
- The crowd surrounded an airliner from Russian carrier Red Wings.
- Makhachkala airport was closed by authorities due to the unrest.
- Over 20 people were injured, including police and civilians; two were in critical condition.
- Sixty individuals were detained during the unrest.
- Videos on social media showed some waving Palestinian flags and others trying to overturn a police car.
- Some shouted antisemitic slogans and examined the passports of arriving passengers, possibly to identify Israelis.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded, expecting Russian authorities to protect Israeli citizens and Jews.
- The Israeli ambassador to Russia is working with Russian officials to ensure the safety of Israelis and Jews.
- The regional Dagestani government, while supporting Palestinians in Gaza, urged citizens to remain calm and not join such protests.
- The Dagestani government’s statement on Telegram appealed for peace and understanding.
- The Supreme Mufti of Dagestan, Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, called for an end to the airport unrest.
- Dagestan Gov. Sergei Melikov vowed consequences for participants in the violence.
- Melikov described the protests as betraying those who sacrificed for the nation’s security.
- He referred to the 1999 war in Dagestan and ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- Russia’s civilian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, announced the airfield was cleared.
- However, the airport will remain closed to incoming flights until Nov. 6.
The Associated Press has the story:
Hundreds storm airport in Russia over arrival of a plane from Israel
Newslooks- MOSCOW (AP)
Hundreds of people stormed into the main airport in Russia’s Dagestan region and rushed onto the landing field, chanting antisemitic slogans and seeking passengers arriving on a flight from the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, Russian news agencies and social media reported.
Russian news reports said the crowd on Sunday surrounded the airliner, which belongs to Russian carrier Red Wings.
Authorities closed the airport in Makhachkala, the capital of the predominantly Muslim region, and police converged on the facility. Dagestan’s Ministry of Health said more than 20 people were injured, with two in critical condition. It said the injured included police officers and civilians.
Sixty people were detained in the unrest, the Interior Ministry for the federal district that includes Dagestan said Monday. It was not clear if charges had been filed against any of them.
Video on social media show some in the crowd waving Palestinian flags and others trying to overturn a police car. Antisemitic slogans can be heard being shouted and some in the crowd examined the passports of arriving passengers, apparently in an attempt to identify those who were Israeli.
In a statement Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel “expects the Russian law enforcement authorities to protect the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews wherever they may be and to act resolutely against the rioters and against the wild incitement directed against Jews and Israelis.”
Netanyahu’s office added that the Israeli ambassador to Russia was working with Russia to keep Israelis and Jews safe.
While voicing support for Palestinians in Gaza, the regional Dagestani government appealed to citizens to remain calm and not take part in such protests.
“We urge residents of the republic to treat the current situation in the world with understanding. Federal authorities and international organizations are making every effort to bring about a cease-fire against Gaza civilians … we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to the provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society,” the Dagestani government wrote on Telegram.
The Supreme Mufti of Dagestan, Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, called on residents to stop the unrest at the airport.
“You are mistaken. This issue cannot be resolved in this way. We understand and perceive your indignation very painfully. … We will solve this issue differently. Not with rallies, but appropriately. Maximum patience and calm for you,” he said in a video published to Telegram.
Dagestan Gov. Sergei Melikov promised consequences for anyone who took part in the violence.
“The actions of those who gathered at the Makhachkala airport today are a gross violation of the law! … (W)hat happened at our airport is outrageous and should receive an appropriate assessment from law enforcement agencies! And this will definitely be done!” he wrote on Telegram.
He called the protests a “knife in the backs of those who gave their lives for the security of the Motherland,” referring to the 1999 war in Dagestan and troops currently fighting in Ukraine.
Russia’s civilian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, later reported that the airfield had been cleared, but that the airport would remain closed to incoming aircraft until Nov. 6.
