In a concerning anti-semitic event, hundreds of agitated Muslims descended upon Makhachkala Airport in Dagestan, Russia, on Sunday night, with apparent intentions to harm passengers arriving from Israel. Most of these passengers held Russian citizenship, but there were also Israelis and Jews on board, prompting an urgent response from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The passengers were scheduled for a morning flight to Moscow.
Security officials quickly isolated and secured the Israelis and Jews at the airport, assuring their safety while arrangements were made for their onward journey to Moscow. However, reports emerged that rioters were initially removed from the scene, only for gunshots to be heard in the vicinity of the airport later on.
The authorities in Dagestan reported approximately 20 injuries during the airport unrest, including both law enforcement personnel and rioters, with two individuals in serious condition. The Ministry of Health, while confirming medical assistance for the wounded, did not provide further details.
If you want to see how pogroms look, here is how
— Michael Elgort 🇺🇦✡️ (@just_whatever) October 29, 2023
A crowd in Mahachkala, Dagestan, Russia has breached into local airport & is searching for “Jews”
A violent mob chants “Allah Akbar” & breaks into rooms, police is scattered & airport officials are & scared pic.twitter.com/NMNIOzUymj
According to Russian reports, the agitated Muslims chanted "Allahu Akbar" and actively sought to harm any Israelis they could find, with some waving Palestinian flags. Incited Dagestanis also conducted vehicle checks in their efforts to locate Israelis and Jews. In response, Israeli security forces and the Israeli ambassador took action in cooperation with local Dagestani security forces.
The Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement regarding the incident, underlining Israel's commitment to the safety of its citizens and Jews worldwide. "The State of Israel takes seriously attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews everywhere. The Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Headquarters are following the development of the events in southern Russia in the Degasan district. Israel expects the Russian law enforcement authorities to maintain 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."
Furthermore, Israel's ambassador to Russia, Alex Ben Zvi, engaged with Russian authorities to guarantee the safety of Israelis and Jews affected by the situation.
A lynch mob in Dagestan, Russia hunting for Jews breaks through airport security screaming “AllahAkbar”.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 29, 2023
A frightened airport employee is heard in background saying “you’re going to kill people!” pic.twitter.com/tXXsv6W9XG
This marks the second incident in Makhachkala involving Jews and Israelis. Just the day before, crowds had swarmed the Flamingo Hotel in the city, prompted by rumors of Israeli refugees being present. Local police allowed entry to confirm the absence of Israelis, and the hotel management explicitly prohibited Israelis and Jews from entering the premises.
