In a disturbing turn of events, a group of protestors stormed an airport in Makhachkala, a city in the southwestern region of Russia, on Sunday night.
The mob, chanting anti-Israeli slogans, was reportedly on the lookout for passengers from a flight that had originated from Tel Aviv.
The airport, situated in the Republic of Dagestan, was forced to shut down operations when the protestors began to overrun the runway, as reported by the Russian aviation authority, Rosaviatsia. The authority further stated that all incoming flights to Makhachkala were rerouted due to the disruption.
Amichai Stein, a reporter for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, revealed that a handful of Jews and Israelis were "isolated" at the airport during the chaos. The protestors were heard shouting "Allahu Akbar" and anti-Semitic slogans.
In response to the incident, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem informed Reuters that an Israeli ambassador in Russia was collaborating with local authorities to ensure the safety of Israelis in the region. "The State of Israel views gravely attempts to harm Israelis citizens and Jews anywhere," the statement read. "Israel expects the Russian law enforcement authorities to safeguard all Israeli citizens and Jews, whoever they may be, and to take robust action against the rioters and against the unbridled incitement being directed at Jews and Israelis."
Dagestan is predominantly Muslim, with Jews forming a minority group in Russia. The Jewish population in the entire country is estimated to be around 83,000.
Rebekah Koffler, a foreign affairs expert, told Fox News Digital that the situation could potentially pose a significant challenge for Putin if not controlled promptly. "Many [local Muslims] are radicalized, as a result of suppression of religion during Soviet times, having learned the extremist version of Islam outside of Russia," Koffler explained. "Putin brutally fought two wars in Chechnya having obliterated it in order to exterminate Islamic extremism."
Koffler expressed her concern about the potential threat to Russian Jews. "For 20 years, Putin has pursued largely a pro-Jewish, pro-Israel policies. If he doesnt do it right, this will spill over and destabilize Muslim populated regions in Russia and may even spark terrorism in bigger cities again," she warned.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the riots, labeling them as "appalling" and accusing Russian officials of fostering a culture of hatred towards Jews.
"This is not an isolated incident in Makhachkala, but rather part of Russias widespread culture of hatred toward other nations, which is propagated by state television, pundits, and authorities," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He also criticized the Russian foreign minister and President for their antisemitic remarks and highlighted the routine hate rhetoric on official Russian television.
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