60 Arrested After Mob Storms Airport In Russia In Search Of Jewish Passengers, Israel Seeks 'Strong Action'
A large number of people swamped the Dagestan airport in Russia in search of Jewish passengers after reports of a plane coming from Israel came forth. The airport has now been closed till Nov 6.
Hundreds of young men, many carrying Palestinian flags and placards denouncing Israel, stormed the Makhachkala International Airport in Russia's mostly Muslim region of Dagestan in search of Jewish passengers after reports came that a flight from Israel landed there. Videos on social media show a large number of people blocking the airport gate and many running inside the airport. Some were holding signs that read -- "child killers have no place in Dagestan" and "we are against Jewish refugees", reported the Moscow Times.
The authorities have arrested 60 persons in connection with the case, reported AFP.
Men could also be seen running onto the tarmac of the airport and climbing onto idling planes in a bid to break through the windows, The Guardian reported.
It added that locals earlier besieged a hotel in search of Jewish guests and then rushed to the airport after reports came that a flight from Tel Aviv was arriving in the city. Authorities were forced to close the airport following the mass arrival of people, as per Reuters. The report added citing health authorities that around 20 people were also injured in the incident of which two are critical.
The Guardian mentioned that with the large crowd swamping the airport, the passengers were forced to take refuge in planes. Some hid inside the airport due to fear of being attacked.
When word spread that a plane from Tel Aviv was landing in Dagestan, Russia, a mob stormed the airport in what can only be described as a modern-day pogrom. pic.twitter.com/1G6phfdraz
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) October 29, 2023
Some of the protesters were even trying to stop cars outside the airport to check the personal identification documents of drivers and passengers inside to search for Israeli citizens, Moscow Times stated citing local media in Dagestan. Meanwhile, airline employees hustled passengers back inside the planes as the crowds approached. The airport was closed on Sunday evening due to “intruders” at the airport.
"This is your captain," one announcement said. "There’s an angry mob outside that doesn’t know where we’ve come from and why [we are here]. It’s possible we’ll also come under attack," it continued, as per The Guardian.
Reacting to the incident, Israel said the office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Council were monitoring the development of events in southern Russia, in the Dagestan district. "Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alex Ben Zvi is working with the Russian authorities to secure the well-being of Jews and Israelis at the site," it added in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
It said that Israel "views with utmost gravity attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews anywhere." It also sought "strong action against rioters".
Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alex Ben Zvi is working with the Russian authorities to secure the well-being of Jews and Israelis at the site.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 29, 2023
Russian aviation authority Rosaviatsia security forces told Reuters that the group was removed by 10:20 pm Moscow time (1920 GMT). They said that the passengers on the plane were "in a safe place".
Rosaviatsia further added that the airport would continue to remain "provisionally closed" until Nov 6, BBC said. According to Reuters, a criminal probe into the incident has been ordered by Russia's Investigative Committee.
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