In a dramatic incident on Sunday, crowds in Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region in Russia, overwhelmed Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) following the arrival of a flight from Israel. The outburst forced the temporary closure of the facility and led to the diversion of other flights.
According to the Dagestan Health Ministry, clashes during the upheaval resulted in injuries to at least 10 individuals, with two of them in critical condition. Reports from Russian state media, TASS, cite the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as the root of the protesters’ sentiments.
Upon the Red Wing Airlines flight from Tel Aviv touching down at 7:17 p.m. local time, it was immediately encircled by demonstrators. Social media was rife with footage showing a significant crowd both within the airport and on the runway. Many waved Palestinian flags, while others aggressively breached the closed doors of the international terminal.
CNN has verified photographs and videos from the scene, revealing disturbing antisemitic messaging from the crowd. Some signs read, “We are against Jewish refugees,” and others pronounced, “There is no place for child-killers in Dagestan.” Disturbingly, one video captured a pilot urging against opening the aircraft’s doors, citing the presence of protesters below.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has ignited global tensions, triggered by a massive attack on October 7 by the militant group, Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of over 200 more. Israel’s subsequent actions in Gaza have been severe, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah reporting on Sunday that Israeli strikes have caused around 8,000 deaths, including roughly 3,000 children.
In response to the growing tensions, global protests have been widespread, with sentiments being expressed both for and against Israel.
The Israeli government has urged Russian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of Israeli citizens and Jews everywhere. This sentiment was reiterated by the Israeli Ambassador to Russia, Alex Ben Zvi. Meanwhile, the US National Security Council spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson, took to social media to denounce the antisemitic demonstrations in Dagestan, and the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Amb. Deborah E. Lipstadt, echoed these condemnations.
Sergey Melikov, the leader of the Dagestan Republic, has also spoken out against the incident on Telegram, urging restraint and imploring individuals not to act on misinformation.
