Makhachkala International Airport in the Russian Republic of Dagestan was the scene of a shocking attempted pogrom Sunday night. In just the latest incident of violence directed against Israelis and Jews around the world since Israel struck back in Gaza after the barbaric Hamas terror attack of October 7, a mob stormed the airport trying to kill Jews after people in the city heard that a flight from Israel had landed there.
The airplane in question was from the Russian airline Red Wings. Fortunately, no one was harmed.
The outrageous act was captured on video shared on social media the world over. The footage shows the attackers storming the airport’s terminal and even going out onto the airport’s tarmac where they climbed on top of the plane. The rioters tried to pry the pane’s doors open, believing there were Israelis on board.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at [email protected].
Thank you.
Local authorities were forced to close the airport. The city and Dagestan itself have a Muslim population of more than 80% of the country’s total.
There have been huge protests in Muslim nations against Israel since it began its military campaign against the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza. Fortunately, Israeli has no diplomacy with the vast majority of the world’s Muslim nations, so Israelis were not in those countries over the past few weeks. And Israel has called on its citizens to leave nations like Jordan and Turkey where it does have diplomatic ties.
In response to the attack, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement saying, “The State of Israel views with utmost gravity attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews anywhere.”
“Israel expects the Russian legal authorities to safeguard the well-being of all Israeli citizens and Jews,” said Israeli leaders, “wherever they are and to take strong action against the rioters and against the wild incitement being directed against Jews and Israelis.
The government of Dagestan issued a statement saying, “We urge residents of the republic to treat the current situation in the world with understanding. Federal authorities and international organizations are making every effort to bring about a cease-fire against Gaza civilians … we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to the provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society.”
Even the Supreme Mufti of Dagestan, Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, told his people that they were wrong and called on them to stop.