Airport in Russia’s Dagestan Region Breached by Crowd Protesting Israeli Flight; Anti-Semitic Sentiments Voiced

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A significant crowd infiltrated the main airport in Dagestan, a region in Russia, and proceeded to the tarmac on Sunday. The group was heard shouting anti-Semitic phrases while targeting passengers arriving from Tel Aviv, Israel, according to Russian media outlets and social media accounts.

Reports from Russian media indicated that the crowd surrounded an airplane operated by Russian airline Red Wings.

In response to the event, the authorities shuttered the Makhachkala airport, which serves as the capital of this largely Muslim area. Law enforcement officials were dispatched to the location. The Ministry of Health for Dagestan disclosed that upwards of 20 individuals were injured in the incident, two of whom are in critical condition. The wounded include both civilians and members of the police force.

Social media footage depicted individuals among the crowd displaying Palestinian flags, while others attempted to tip over a police vehicle. Voices in the crowd were captured expressing anti-Semitic statements, and some were seen scrutinizing the passports of incoming passengers, seemingly in an effort to single out Israelis.

In an official communique released on Sunday evening, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel “anticipates that Russian law enforcement will take decisive measures against the individuals participating in the riot and against the blatant incitement aimed at Jews and Israelis.”

The Israeli embassy in Russia is actively collaborating with Russian officials to ensure the security of Israelis and Jews in the country, according to Netanyahu’s office.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs for the North Caucasian Federal District, where Dagestan is situated, announced plans to employ CCTV footage to identify the individuals who breached the airport, promising that legal proceedings would be initiated against them.

Expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, the regional government of Dagestan appealed for calm and urged its citizens not to participate in such demonstrations.

“Federal authorities and international bodies are working diligently to institute a ceasefire to protect civilians in Gaza. We beseech the public to resist the instigations of disruptive elements and to refrain from inducing societal unrest,” read a statement from the Dagestani government on the messaging platform Telegram.

Dagestan’s Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, disseminated a video message on Telegram urging local residents to cease the airport disruptions.

“Your approach to this issue is flawed. While we acknowledge your strong feelings of outrage, we will address the matter differently, in an appropriate manner. I call for your utmost patience and tranquility,” he stated.

Sergei Melikov, the Governor of Dagestan, vowed that legal repercussions await those who participated in the violent activities.

“Such actions at the Makhachkala airport today are an egregious breach of the law. The incident at our airport is intolerable and warrants a proper legal evaluation, which will certainly be conducted,” he noted on Telegram.

He described the demonstrations as a betrayal of the sacrifices made by those who fought for the country’s security, alluding to the 1999 conflict in Dagestan as well as the ongoing military activities in Ukraine.

Rosaviatsia, Russia’s civilian aviation agency, later confirmed that the airfield had been secured. However, it was announced that the airport would not receive incoming flights until November 6.

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More about Dagestan airport breach

• Dagestan Airport Incident: Source and Updates
• Official Statement from Israeli Prime Minister’s Office
• Ministry of Health for Dagestan Injury Report
• Statement from Dagestan’s Regional Government
• Rosaviatsia’s Announcement on Airport Status
• Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on Legal Proceedings
• Social Media Footage of the Incident
• Statement from Dagestan’s Supreme Mufti, Sheikh Akhmad Afandi
• Sergei Melikov, Governor of Dagestan, on Legal Repercussions