Russia: Following the landing of an Israeli plane, a crowd chants antisemitic slogans at the airport

Russian news agencies and social media said that hundreds of protesters poured into the major airport in the Dagestan area of Russia on Sunday and onto the landing field to protest the arrival of an airplane from Tel Aviv, Israel.

In Makhachkala, the capital of the mostly Muslim province, authorities shuttered the airport, and police gathered at the site. No arrests or injuries were reported right away.

According to Russian press sources, some in the crowd were yelling antisemitic remarks and attempting to rush the Red Wings plane.

Social media footage showed demonstrators trying to topple a police vehicle, people verifying the papers of arriving passengers, and others waving Palestinian flags amid the landing field throng.

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,” according to a statement issued by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday night. The Israeli ambassador to Russia is collaborating with Russia to ensure the safety of Israelis and Jews, according to Netanyahu’s office.

The North Caucasian Federal District Ministry of Internal Affairs for Russia, which includes Dagestan, said that those responsible for the airport storming will be held accountable and that CCTV video would be used to identify the individuals.

The provincial Dagestani administration expressed solidarity for Gaza but urged people not to participate in these kind of rallies and to maintain their composure.

“We implore citizens of the republic to see the state of the world today with compassion. All efforts are being made by federal authorities and international organizations to facilitate a truce against civilians in Gaza. The Dagestani administration said on Telegram, “We implore citizens of the republic not to give in to the provocations of harmful groups and not to incite panic in society.”

Sheikh Akhmad Afandi, the Supreme Mufti of Dagstan, urged locals to put an end to the disturbances at the airport.

“You’re not correct. This is not the method to tackle this problem. We are really sensitive to your grief and totally get your outrage. This will not be resolved the same way by us. Not with protests, but in the right way. Maximum calm and patience for you,” he said in a video that Telegram posted.