Riots in Dagestan: Protests against Israeli flight lead to airport closure

On a stormy Sunday evening in Dagestan, Russia, the arrival of a flight from Tel Aviv sparked a major protest that ended with the temporary closure of Makhachkala airport and the arrest of 60 people.

This was reported by Aljazeera.

The incident unfolded when hundreds of people, angry at Israeli military actions in Gaza, stormed the airport to condemn the arrival of the Israeli flight. The riots quickly escalated, prompting a significant response from local law enforcement.

The events began at 19:00 local time when a Russian Red Wings airline plane flying from Tel Aviv landed at Makhachkala airport. Within hours, hundreds of protesters overwhelmed security forces, breaking through airport barriers to gain access to the runway and surrounding areas. Chaos reigned at the scene, with protesters smashing glass doors, waving Palestinian flags and loudly chanting anti-Jewish slogans. Amidst the chaos, arriving Israeli passengers were isolated and guarded by security personnel until the situation stabilized.

As law enforcement officials tried to regain control, clashes broke out, injuring twenty people, including nine police officers. The unrest prompted authorities to arrest 60 people, although specific charges remain unclear. Meanwhile, the airport was shut down and flights were diverted to neighboring airports. The Interior Ministry and Russia's aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, intervened to ensure the safety of the premises, announcing the closure of the airport until next Tuesday, with an initial suspension of all flights until November 61.

The incident drew swift condemnation internationally. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Russian authorities to take decisive action against the rioters, emphasizing the need to curb the growth of anti-Semitic sentiment. The White House spokesperson also condemned the incident, expressing solidarity with the Jewish community amid an alarming rise in the number of anti-Semitic episodes around the world.

The Russian government then called on the protesters to stop their illegal activities and not to interfere with the airport. The Grand Mufti of Dagestan, Sheikh Ahmad Afandi, called for calm, emphasizing that such issues cannot be resolved through violent demonstrations.

The events at Makhachkala airport highlight the broader geopolitical tensions at play, reflecting echoes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict far beyond its epicenter.