Large mobs in Russia yelling “Allahu Akbar” hunted down Jews in Dagestan on Sunday and stormed an airport, making their way onto the tarmac to attack Israelis who had just arrived from Tel Aviv, according to multiple reports.
The North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan is a majority-Muslim region in southwest Russia that borders Azerbaijan and Georgia. It is an autonomous republic within the Russian Federation.
“In Muslim areas of Russia’s north Caucasus, mobs raid hotels looking for Jews after rumors spread that some Israelis had moved there to flee the war,” said Yaroslav Trofimov, chief foreign affairs correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. “This video is from Dagestan, but similar incidents happened in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia.”
Meanwhile, in Muslim areas of Russia’s north Caucasus, mobs raid hotels looking for Jews after rumors spread that some Israelis had moved there to flee the war. This video is from Dagestan, but similar incidents happened in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. pic.twitter.com/N0aZI9x5Cq
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) October 29, 2023
Trofimov highlighted signs that were seen in the region that said: “Entry to citizens of Israel (Jews) strictly forbidden.”
“A Jewish cultural center under construction in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria region of Russia, went up in flames,” Trofimov added. “‘Death to Yahoods (Jews),’ the graffiti says. Northern Caucasus has its own autochthonous Jewish community that lives there for millennia.”
A Jewish cultural center under construction in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria region of Russia, went up in flames. “Death to Yahoods (Jews),” the graffiti says. Northern Caucasus has its own autochthonous Jewish community that lives there for millennia. https://t.co/es9wvOUemS pic.twitter.com/bp3eaE2phE
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) October 29, 2023
Trofimov then highlighted a serious situation that was unfolding at an airport in the Dagestan city of Makhachkala where rioters chanting “Allahu Akbar” reportedly stormed an airport hunting for Jews.
“Mobs break into the Makhachkala airport, in Russia’s north Caucasus, looking to lynch Jews after rumors spread about the arrival of Jewish refugees from Israel,” he wrote.
Mobs break into the Makhachkala airport, in Russia’s north Caucasus, looking to lynch Jews after rumors spread about the arrival of Jewish refugees from Israel. pic.twitter.com/stMvyqNUqv
— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) October 29, 2023
The mob overran security and made their way onto the tarmac and passengers who had started to disembark had to get back into the plane and shut the door.
Former Radio Liberty reporter Hanna Liubakova also posted videos of the pogrom: “The crowd broke through the runway of Makhachkala airport and is looking for a ‘plane with Jews.'”
The crowd broke through the runway of Makhachkala airport and is looking for a “plane with Jews.” pic.twitter.com/68VQT8PR1n
— Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova) October 29, 2023
“‘An angry crowd has gathered outside,’ a voice inside a cabin announces, advising passengers to remain in their seats. Meanwhile, individuals on the runway are moving about freely,” she continued.
The dramatic video shows the crowd forcibly entering the terminal building. An airport security guard was heard saying, "You will kill people." pic.twitter.com/Y9I9jmn4qp
— Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova) October 29, 2023
The crowd gathered outside the plane as an airport employee informed them that the passengers have left. pic.twitter.com/C819CugaWa
— Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova) October 29, 2023
This is also reportedly from the airport. The crowd is seen attacking a police car. pic.twitter.com/s31qMUSNZ0
— Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova) October 29, 2023