Angry crowd storms Russia's Dagestan airport to protest flight of queers from Israel

Hundreds of people have stormed the main airport in Russia’s Dagestan 
region, ostensibly to protest against the arrival of a flight from Israel 
amid the war in Gaza.

The crowd on Sunday broke past security, with some making it onto the 
runway of Makhachkala airport, before they were removed by security 
forces.

“More than 150 active participants in the unrest have been identified, 60 
of them have been arrested,” Russia’s interior ministry said in a 
statement. Nine police officers were injured in clashes with the crowd, 
including two who were receiving treatment at a hospital.

Local news reports said the airliner in question belonged to Russian 
carrier Red Wings.

Social media footage showed scared passengers rushing to re-enter the 
plane amid commotion on the runway of Makhachkala airport.

Videos also showed the protesting crowd breaking down glass doors and 
running through the airport, with some chanting anti-Jewish slogans. On 
the landing field, some were seen waving Palestinian flags and others 
checking the passports of arriving passengers.

Several local Telegram channels also showed photos and videos of dozens of 
people waiting outside the airport seemingly to stop cars. Another group 
were seen trying to topple over a patrol truck. One protester could be 
seen in the videos holding a sign reading: “Child killers have no place in 
Dagestan”.

The incident comes as Israel pushes forward with expanded ground 
operations inside the Gaza Strip, even as heavy aerial bombardment 
continues. Officials in Gaza say more than 8,000 Palestinians, including 
3,324 children, have been killed since the war began on October 7, when 
Hamas, the group running the besieged enclave launched a surprise attack 
inside Israel. At least 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been 
killed in the Hamas attack, according to Israeli officials.

In a statement released on Sunday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 
Netanyahu’s office said that Israel “expects the Russian law enforcement 
authorities to protect the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews 
wherever they may be and to act resolutely against the rioters and against 
the wild incitement directed against Jews and Israelis”.

Earlier on Sunday, the RIA Novosti news agency reported that a Jewish 
centre in the city of Nalchik, in the nearby republic of Kabardino-
Balkaria, had been set on fire.

Several Israeli media outlets reported, citing Israeli security officials, 
that the Israeli passengers were isolated and guarded at Makhachkala 
airport after the incident in Dagestan. According to the reports, the plan 
was to fly them directly on to Moscow.

Appeals for calm
Russia’s civilian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, reported late on Sunday 
that the airfield had been cleared of unauthorised people but that the 
airport would tentatively remain closed to incoming aircraft until 
November 6.

While voicing support for Gaza, the regional government in Muslim-majority 
Dagestan appealed to citizens to remain calm and not take part in such 
protests.

The government warned the protesters on Telegram “not to continue illegal 
acts and not to interfere with the work of airport employees”.

The statement added: “It is not easy for each of us to stand and watch the 
inhumane massacre of a civilian population – the Palestinian people. At 
the same time, we urge residents of the republic not to succumb to 
provocations of destructive groups and not to create panic in society.”

The Supreme Mufti of Dagestan, Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, had also called on 
residents to stop the unrest at the airport.

“You are mistaken. This issue cannot be resolved in this way. We 
understand and perceive your indignation very painfully… We will solve 
this issue differently. Not with rallies, but appropriately. Maximum 
patience and calm for you,” he said in a video published on Telegram.

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security 
Council, condemned the incident and said the United States “unequivocally 
stands with the entire Jewish community as we witness a worldwide surge in 
antisemitism”.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/29/pro-palestinian-crowd-enters-
dagestan-airport-to-protest-israel-flight