Dagestan, Russia – October 30, 2023
In a disturbing turn of events, an airport in the Russian Caucasus republic of Dagestan became the scene of an anti-Semitic protest on Sunday, as hundreds of demonstrators overran the facility, driven by false rumors that an Israeli flight was arriving.
The governor of Dagestan swiftly promised that those responsible for this incident would be held accountable, and the republic’s interior ministry reported that 60 individuals were arrested in the ensuing unrest. The ministry’s statement read, “More than 150 active participants in the unrest have been identified; 60 of them have been arrested.”
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Videos shared on social media and corroborated by Russia’s RT and Izvestia media depicted dozens of protesters breaching doors and barriers at Makhachkala airport. Some even made their way onto the airport’s runway, causing significant disruptions. In response to the escalating situation, Russia’s aviation agency, Rosaviatsiya, promptly closed the airport to incoming and outgoing flights, with security forces being dispatched to restore order.
Local authorities sought to reassure the public, stating on Telegram that “The situation is under control.” The Republic’s health ministry confirmed injuries but did not specify the extent of these injuries or the individuals involved. Late on Sunday, Rosaviatsiya declared that the airport had been “freed” from the protesters but would remain closed until November 6.
Further concerning images from local Telegram channels showed dozens of men congregating outside the airport, blocking cars from entering. A protester was seen holding a sign that read, “Child killers have no place in Dagestan.”
Inside the airport terminal, videos depicted a crowd attempting to break down doors, while staff members endeavored to deter their efforts. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 indicated that a Red Wings flight originating from Tel Aviv had landed at Makhachkala at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT). It was reported to be a transiting flight scheduled to depart for Moscow two hours later.
The unfolding situation drew international attention, with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issuing a statement, expressing the expectation for Russian authorities to protect Israeli citizens and Jews and to act decisively against the rioters and incitement to violence against Jews and Israelis. The White House National Security Council also condemned the anti-Semitic protests in Dagestan, reaffirming the United States’ support for the Jewish community amid a surge in anti-Semitism globally.
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Earlier on Sunday, Akhmed Dudayev, the information minister in Dagestan’s neighboring Chechnya, appealed for calm in the face of rising tensions in the Caucasus, cautioning against provocations. The Dagestan government implored those involved to cease their “illegal acts,” acknowledging their anger over the situation in Palestine but urging against the creation of panic in society.
Sergei Melikov, the republic’s governor, promised that the actions at the airport would receive appropriate law enforcement assessment, while expressing empathy for the victims of unrighteous actions and politicians and praying for peace in Palestine.
Dagestan and Chechnya are predominantly Muslim regions that have experienced years of violent tension with the central Russian authorities. In a related incident, reports from the RIA Novosti news agency indicated that a Jewish center in another North Caucasus republic, Kabardino-Balkaria, was set on fire in the city of Nalchik.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over the “appalling” videos circulating on social media, suggesting that this incident was part of a broader culture of hatred toward other nations within Russia, propagated by state television, pundits, and authorities.
Dagestan, Russia’s southernmost territory, is among its poorest regions and has reportedly contributed a significant number of individuals to the Ukraine offensive, according to independent reports.
The situation remains fluid, with authorities working to restore calm and address the unrest that disrupted the airport and sparked international concern.
SOURCE: REUTERS/ VARIOUS
