Israel urges Russia to protect “all its citizens and all Jews” after a mob storms Makhachkala airport.
Israel has urged Russia to protect “all its citizens and all Jews” after a mob reportedly stormed a Dagestan airport seeking people arriving from Tel Aviv.
Video footage apparently from the scene shows an angry crowd running in the airport in Makhachkala, shouting antisemitic slogans.
Some of the crowd run onto the runway and surround aircraft there.
Russia’s aviation agency said the situation was under control after authorities had arrived on the scene.
Rosaviatsia added that the airport would be “provisionally closed” until 6 November.
The Israeli PM’s office said Russia must act decisively against incitement to violence against Jews and Israelis.
The government of Dagestan – a mainly Muslim Russian republic that is home to some 3.1m people on the western edge of the Caspian Sea – said a criminal case had been opened for civil disorder.
While voicing support for Gaza, it appealed to citizens to remain calm and not take part in such protests.
“We recommend that all persons who have violated the operating procedures of the [airport] facility not to continue illegal acts and not to interfere with the work of airport employees,” the local government said on Telegram.
Local media reported that some demonstrators were stopping cars outside Makhachkala’s airport to check the ID papers of drivers and passengers as they searched for Israeli citizens.
Israel’s foreign ministry said the Israeli ambassador in Moscow was working with Russian authorities, adding that Israel “views gravely attempts to harm Israelis citizens and Jews anywhere”.
“Israel expects the Russian law enforcement authorities to safeguard all Israeli citizens and Jews, whoever they may be, and to take robust action against the rioters and against the unbridled incitement being directed at Jews and Israelis,” the ministry statement said.