Pro-Paelestinian Rioters Storm Russian Airport
Demonstrators in Makhachkala, a city in southwestern Russia, caused disruption at a local airport, voicing anti-Israel sentiments on Sunday night. They were reportedly searching for individuals from a flight that arrived from Tel Aviv.
The airport in Makhachkala, located in the Republic of Dagestan, was shut down when protestors occupied the runway. This was reported by Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, which also stated that incoming flights to the city were redirected.
According to Amichai Stein, a journalist from the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, several Israelis and Jews were temporarily "trapped" at the airport due to the protest. The protestors were reported to be chanting "Allahu Akbar" as well as other anti-Semitic phrases.
The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem informed Reuters that an Israeli ambassador in Russia is liaising with local authorities to ensure the safety of Israelis in the area.
Israel released a statement emphasizing their concern for the safety of Israeli citizens and Jews worldwide. They urged Russian law enforcement to take strong measures against the perpetrators and against the evident anti-Semitic provocations.
Dagestan has a predominant Muslim population, while Jews form a minority in Russia with a total population of roughly 83,000 across the country.
Rebekah Koffler, a foreign affairs specialist, commented to Fox News Digital that this event could pose significant challenges for President Putin if not properly managed. She noted that many local Muslims became radicalized due to past religious repression, with some adopting extremist Islamic beliefs outside of Russia. She mentioned Putin's past efforts to combat Islamic extremism in regions like Chechnya.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced his disapproval of the incident, condemning the act and accusing Russian officials of perpetuating anti-Semitic sentiments.
Zelenskyy, in a post on X (previously Twitter), criticized the broader context of intolerance in Russia, stating it's not just limited to this specific event in Makhachkala. He highlighted previous anti-Semitic comments from Russian officials and mentioned the recurring presence of hate speech in Russian media, especially during recent Middle Eastern conflicts.
