Netanyahu Expresses Concern to Russia After Airport Riots Target Israelis

By Yoni Weiss

On Sunday night, hundreds of individuals stormed the main airport located in Russia’s Dagestan region, specifically the landing field. This act of protest was triggered by the arrival of an airliner from Tel Aviv, according to Russian news agencies. Authorities clarified that only a few Jewish and Israeli passengers were present at the airport, and they were in a secure location.

In response to the disturbance, the authorities in Makhachkala, the capital of the predominantly Muslim region, decided to close the airport. Law enforcement swiftly converged on the scene, although no immediate injuries were reported. The local police reported arrests among the individuals involved in the incident, and the airport was slated to remain closed until Nov. 6. Footage circulated on social media revealed that the rioters harassed individuals leaving the main terminal, attempting to identify those with Israeli passports, all while police officers stood by.

Russian news accounts indicated that members of the crowd shouted antisemitic slogans and attempted to breach a Russian carrier – Red Wings – airliner. Social media videos displayed some individuals on the landing field waving Palestinian flags, protesters trying to overturn a police car, and others scrutinizing the passports of passengers who had recently arrived in Makhachkala.

In response to the incident, the office of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a statement on Sunday night. The statement emphasized that Israel expects Russian law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews, regardless of their location, and to act decisively against the rioters and the inflammatory rhetoric directed at Jews and Israelis. The statement also noted that Israel’s ambassador to Russia was working together with Russian officials to safeguard Israelis and Jews in the region.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs for Russia’s North Caucasian Federal District, where Dagestan is situated, pledged to use surveillance footage to identify those involved in the airport storming, and to bring these individuals to justice.

While expressing support for Gaza, the regional Dagestani government urged its citizens to remain calm and refrain from participating in such protests. The government conveyed on social media, “We urge residents of the republic to understand the current global situation. Federal authorities and international organizations are making every effort to secure a ceasefire for Gaza civilians… We urge residents of the republic not to be swayed by the provocations of destructive groups and to avoid causing panic in society.”