On October 29, the airport of Makhachkala, capital of Dagestan in Russia, was the scene of a shocking scene. Individuals hostile to Israel invaded the terminal, disrupting a flight from Tel Aviv. The demonstrators, mostly young men, waved Palestinian flags, broke windows and chanted hostile slogans. The intervention of security forces made it possible to arrest nearly sixty people and secure the passengers of the flight, who were taken to a safe place.
This attack on Makhachkala airport sparked a strong international reaction. The United States strongly condemned these “anti-Semitic demonstrations,” affirming its unequivocal support for the Jewish community and denouncing any form of anti-Semitism. Israel also responded, urging Russia to ensure the safety of its nationals and Jews in general, and placing the issue under the seriousness of any attempt to harm their citizens, wherever they are in the world.
The leader of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, accused Ukraine of being at the origin of these riots. He claims that the unrest was organized from Ukrainian territory, in the midst of the armed conflict between kyiv and Moscow. Although no concrete evidence has been put forward to support this accusation, he mentions a Telegram channel based in Ukraine, “Outro Dagestan”, which allegedly called for people to gather at the airport in order to prevent the arrival of passengers. unwanted” from Tel Aviv.
This situation raises concerns about rising anti-Semitism and tensions between different ethnic and religious groups. Despite the statements of some Russian officials, who claim that this is a “planned and externally driven provocation”, it is essential to find solutions to prevent such acts of violence and to promote tolerance and the mutual respect.
In this context, it is crucial that Russian authorities take measures to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent future attacks. Furthermore, it is important that the international community strongly condemns such acts and works together to combat anti-Semitism and any form of religious or ethnic discrimination.
Makhachkala airport, once a peaceful transit point, has been the scene of escalating violence and intolerance. It is therefore essential to reaffirm the values of inclusion, respect and diversity, in order to build a better future, where everyone can travel in complete safety, whatever their origin or religion.