By Agnibeena Ghosh
In a troubling turn of events, Israel has urged Russia to safeguard the lives of “all its citizens and all Jews” after a large mob, some of whom were shouting anti-Semitic slogans, stormed a Dagestan airport. Video footage circulating on social media depicted an angry crowd running through the airport in Makhachkala, reportedly in search of people arriving from Tel Aviv. As tensions flared, some members of the crowd even breached security, running onto the runway and surrounding aircraft. Russia’s aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, reported that security forces eventually managed to regain control of the situation, leading to the closure of the airport until Tuesday, October 31st.
According to Russian news agencies, citing the local interior ministry, a total of 60 individuals suspected of participating in the mob have been arrested. Video clips from the scene showed hundreds of people flooding the airport terminal, with some individuals waving Palestinian flags. Reports in local media indicated that demonstrators were stopping cars outside the Makhachkala airport, demanding to see documents, as they embarked on a chaotic search for Israeli passports. The unrest resulted in injuries to twenty people, including some police officers, with some individuals sustaining serious injuries, and two remaining in critical condition. The health ministry of the republic confirmed these statistics. Dagestan, a primarily Muslim Russian republic in the North Caucasus, is home to approximately 3.1 million people and is situated on the western shores of the Caspian Sea. The local government has reported the opening of a criminal case for civil disorder in response to the incident.
Israel’s prime minister’s office issued a stern statement, urging Russia to take decisive action against any incitement to violence targeting Jews and Israelis. Furthermore, a spokesperson for the U.S. president, Adrienne Watson, took to Twitter to condemn the anti-Semitic protests in Dagestan, expressing unequivocal support for the global Jewish community. The spokesperson emphasized that there is never any justification for anti-Semitism, echoing the sentiment of the White House National Security Council Spokesperson.
While Dagestan’s government voiced support for Gaza, it simultaneously appealed to its citizens to remain calm and refrain from participating in such protests. The international community has witnessed widespread protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Sergei Melikov, the Governor of Dagestan, strongly denounced the mob’s invasion of the airport in a message shared via the Telegram messaging service. He condemned the dishonorable actions of hurling abuse at strangers and searching their pockets for passports, noting that such behavior included attacks on women with children. According to Governor Melikov, the actions of the mob were a “stab in the back” to Dagestani patriots, including those serving in the Russian armed forces in Ukraine. He pledged that the incident at the airport would be thoroughly assessed by law enforcement.
Israel’s foreign ministry reported that the Israeli ambassador in Moscow is working closely with Russian authorities. The ministry expressed grave concern over attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews, anywhere they may be. The statement emphasized that Israel expects Russian law enforcement authorities to take robust measures against the rioters and the unbridled incitement targeting Jews and Israelis.
The situation in Dagestan has sent shockwaves across international borders, with both Israel and the United States calling for a strong response to protect the rights and safety of Jewish citizens. As investigations unfold, the world is closely watching to see how the Russian authorities will address this disturbing incident. In the face of such actions, it remains crucial for nations to stand united against anti-Semitism and any form of violence based on religion or ethnicity.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 30th October 2023
