30-10-2023 (MOSCOW) Russian authorities took the decision to temporarily close Makhachkala Airport in the northern Caucasus region and redirected flights, including one from Israel, due to reports of demonstrators protesting against Israeli actions in Gaza congregating at the airport.
Rosaviatsia, the Russian aviation authority, reported that security forces successfully removed the group from Makhachkala airport in Dagestan by 10:20 pm Moscow time. Dagestan is one of the regions in the northern Caucasus with a substantial Muslim population. The airport will remain closed until the situation normalizes, and a criminal investigation has been ordered by Russia’s Investigative Committee in response to the incident.
Israel has urged Russian authorities to ensure the safety of Israelis and Jews within their jurisdiction following these reports. The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement mentioning that the Israeli ambassador in Moscow is working closely with Russian authorities. The statement also expressed deep concern about attempts to harm Israeli citizens and Jews anywhere.
Videos from Kavkaz-Realii, a division of the US-funded Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, depicted noisy crowds waving Palestinian flags in and around the terminal building in Makhachkala. Other Russian media showed a group attempting to approach an aircraft, but passengers remained safely on board. It was not confirmed whether passengers were eventually able to disembark.
The aircraft involved bore an identification number indicating it had arrived from Israel, according to the FlightRadar24 flight tracking website.
Regional leaders in Dagestan and two other areas in the northern Caucasus called for calm in response to the situation. Dagestan’s chief mufti also issued a similar appeal. Russia has attempted to maintain contact with all sides in the conflict involving Israel and Hamas. However, recent actions, such as inviting a Hamas delegation to Moscow, have strained relations with Israeli authorities, leading to the summoning of the Russian ambassador by Israel’s foreign ministry.
In #Dagestan, a crowd stormed the building of Makhachkala airport in search of Jews from a flight from Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/TaBvakBKIE
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 29, 2023
