A plane traveling from Tel Aviv to the Dagestan Republic in Russia’s North Caucasus was unexpectedly diverted on Sunday. This change in course was prompted by an aggressive mob, supportive of Hamas, storming Makhachkala Uytash Airport with the intention of confronting Jewish passengers.
The mob, numbering in the hundreds, invaded the airport situated in the capital of Dagestan, a predominantly Muslim region. Clips from the scene display protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Allahu akbar” while inspecting the airport for Israeli travelers.
Further footage reveals these protesters stopping vehicles nearby, interrogating drivers about any Jewish passengers.
One individual from the mob reportedly stated, “We’re here for the Jews – to take them down with blades and gunfire.”
Following this turmoil, the aircraft from Tel Aviv was directed to an alternate airport. However, crowds started assembling there too, as per reports from Israel’s Channel 12. In response, the plane’s crew locked the aircraft, with Russian security establishing a perimeter around the tarmac.
Israel’s Kan broadcaster conveyed that a small group of Israelis and Jews were safeguarded at the airport, quoting an Israeli security official in Jerusalem. They are expected to continue their journey to Moscow once it’s deemed safe.
Both the office of the Israeli Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry voiced their concerns over the incidents in Dagestan, emphasizing their expectations of Russian authorities to ensure the safety of Israeli and Jewish citizens and to act decisively against those fueling violence and incitement against this community.
Russia’s RT reported that this turbulence followed another incident a day prior, where individuals tried to confront “Jewish refugees” believed to be at a hotel in Khasavyurt, Dagestan.
To oversee the safety of Israeli visitors, the Israeli Ambassador to Russia, Alexander Ben Zvi, has been actively involved. Meanwhile, the Conference of European Rabbis urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to safeguard the Jewish community, pointing out the recent antisemitic surge in Russia.
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who has been the chief rabbi of Moscow for three decades, highlighted another incident where a Jewish center in Dagestan’s Nalchik was set ablaze. He linked this to a Hamas delegation’s recent visit to Moscow, led by Musa Abu Marzouk, and expressed hope that Putin would direct regional authorities to prevent further acts against the Jewish community.
