OAN’s Sophia Flores
6:22 PM – Monday, October 30, 2023
Hundreds of people stormed a main airport in Russia’s Dagestan region in protest of the arrival of a plane from Tel Aviv, Israel. The individuals were reportedly looking for “any Jews on board.”
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On Sunday, authorities were forced to close the Makhachkala airport. It is located in a heavily-populated Muslim region.
According to reports, earlier in the day, a variety of Telegram channels based in the area called on locals to visit the airport in order to “catch” Israelis and Jews on the flight.
“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,” the regional government of Dagestan stated, according to an Associated Press translation.
Around 1,200 individuals stormed through security and onto the tarmac as soon as the plane touched down at 7 p.m. For the passengers’ own safety, those on the aircraft were advised not to disembark.
Videos show rioters trying to overturn a police car while waving Palestinian flags. According to reports from Russian media, anti-Semitic slogans were being shouted by the crowd attempting to storm the airliner.
More than 20 people were injured during the riot. Nine of those individuals were police officers. Ten people were sent to the hospital, two of whom are currently in critical condition. The ministry announced that 60 people were arrested.
The incident has prompted an investigation from the Russian government, as the Investigative Committee in Dagestan opened a criminal case charging those convicted with “organizing mass disorder.” Individuals convicted will be sentenced with up to 15 years behind bars.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office took to X, the platform formally known as Twitter, to share its thoughts on the situation and how Netanyahu expects Russia to react.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with security and government officials on Monday. During the meeting, he alleged that Western security services and Kyiv should be held accountable for helping incite the violence at the airport.
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