Chaos at Russian Airport as Tel Aviv Flight Arrives Amid Escalating Tensions over Gaza Conflict
Passengers on a flight from Tel Aviv faced a chaotic situation as an enraged crowd in Russia's Dagestan region stormed the airport, leading to its closure and the diversion of other flights Tensions escalate globally amidst the ongoing Gaza war
An enraged mob in Dagestan, a primarily Muslim region in Russia, aggressively stormed an airport after the arrival of a flight from Israel on Sunday. This led to the closure of the facility and the redirection of flights. Late on Sunday, the Dagestan Health Ministry released a statement indicating that the clashes resulted in a minimum of 10 injuries, with two individuals in critical condition.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict was met with opposition by those gathered, as reported by Russian state media TASS.
In a statement issued by the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency, it was mentioned that the Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) had to be temporarily closed and flights were diverted due to an intrusion by unidentified individuals.
The Red Wing Airlines flight arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday at 7:17 p.m. local time, as reported by Flight Aware. Upon landing, the aircraft was immediately confronted by a group of protesters.
Several videos circulating on social media depicted a gathering of individuals within the airport premises and on the runway. Some individuals could be seen waving the Palestinian flag, while others forcefully entered closed doors within the international terminal.
Verified photos and videos obtained by CNN show that the gathering outside the airport displayed signs containing antisemitic messages, including slogans like "We oppose Jewish refugees" and "Child-killers are not welcome in Dagestan."
A video captured one pilot addressing the passengers through the aircraft's speaker system, cautioning them against opening the doors due to the presence of protesters beneath the plane.
The incident highlights the significant global tensions and divisions surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. This war was initiated by a coordinated attack on October 7 by the militant group, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,400 individuals, mainly civilians, and the kidnapping of over 200 people.
Israel's response has been characterized by relentless retaliation, including a continuous siege and intensive bombardment of Gaza. These actions have exacerbated tensions on a global scale, extending beyond the Middle East.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have caused approximately 8,000 deaths, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah on Sunday. The data was sourced from authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave. Among those killed, around 3,000 are children, according to the same sources.
Crowds stormed the runway at Makhachkala Uytash Airport (MCX) on October 29.
From Telegram
Protests have erupted globally, showing support for both Israel and Gaza, causing tensions to frequently escalate.
In a joint statement, the Israeli Prime Minister's office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their expectation for the Russian legal authorities to protect the welfare of Israeli citizens and Jews worldwide. They also called for strong measures to be taken against rioters and the incitement targeting Jews and Israelis.
The statement mentioned that Israeli Ambassador to Russia, Alex Ben Zvi, is collaborating with Russian authorities to ensure the safety and security of Jews and Israelis at the location. Additionally, the US urged Russia to safeguard Israelis and Jews.
"The United States strongly denounces the anti-Semitic demonstrations occurring in Dagestan, Russia," expressed Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, on social media.
"The US firmly supports the Jewish community in light of the escalating global wave of anti-Semitism. There can never be any acceptable reason or validation for anti-Semitism."
Ambassador Deborah E. Lipstadt, the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, expressed her condemnation of the reported violent protests in Russia that pose a threat to Israelis and Jews. She called upon Russian authorities to take necessary measures to ensure their safety.
Sergey Melikov, the leader of Dagestan Republic, utilized Telegram on Sunday to condemn the incident and advised against spreading false information or making hasty judgments.
"Your impulsive actions only worsen the situation, benefiting the unscrupulous individuals who aim to manipulate the yearning for justice and the emotional response to the pain and unity of other people, qualities that have always defined the people of Dagestan," Melikov stated.
CNN has reached out to Red Wing Airlines for comment.
