The tension between Israel and Gaza has caused a real hunt for Jews in one of the Muslim-majority regions of Russia.
Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday night at the airport in Makhachkala, capital of the Russian region of Dagestan, before the arrival of a flight from Tel Aviv. The protesters, who denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza, took over this airport in the Caucasus and confronted travelers, some of whom had to hide. The airport had to close due to the riots, which included attacks on the police and several shots that echoed around the runway area and whose origin is unclear.
The vandals called through Telegram channels, spreading calls to participate in the mobilization at the airport and check the cars near the building one by one.
The crowd stopped cars leaving the terminals. The passports of the people who were there were checked. Soon the crowd, mainly young men, entered the airport building, shouting anti-Semitic slogans. They also stormed the track.
A representative of Israeli intelligence services told The Times of Israel that there were several Israeli citizens and Jews at the Makhachkala airport. They were placed under surveillance at the airport, which had to close. Rosaviatsia, the Russian air regulator, said all planes bound for Makhachkala were diverted to other airports.
The republic of Dagestan is located in the North Caucasus district, in the southwestern corner of the country between the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian republic of Chechnya. Muslims make up 83% of the population, which is ethnically very diverse. ‘Ethnic Russians’ barely reach 3%. The Jewish community largely left after the end of the USSR and many of them live in Israel.
During the assault there were scenes of tension. There are videos of travelers whose bus is intercepted by the uncontrolled crowd. Travelers are forced to explain who they are. Screams, confusion and cries of several children can be seen in the videos shared on social networks.
Footage also shows the crowd running around the track holding Palestinian flags and chanting “Allah is great.” A helicopter also appears perched in the area after shots were heard.
Late Sunday the Dagestan government issued a statement saying that “the situation is under control.”
The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under the article on organizing mass riots. At 9:00 p.m. Madrid time, Rosavitsia (Russia’s air regulator) announced that “the airfield has been freed from unauthorized entry of citizens.”