In the North Caucasus region of Russia, a series of violent incidents unfolded on Sunday, with large mobs reportedly targeting Jewish individuals and causing unrest in the area. These events have raised concerns about the safety of Jewish communities in the region.
The majority-Muslim region of Dagestan, situated in southwest Russia and bordering Azerbaijan and Georgia, witnessed disturbing scenes on Sunday. Mobs, some of whom were heard shouting “Allahu Akbar,” were reported to have searched hotels for Jews, prompted by rumors that Israeli citizens had relocated to the area to escape the ongoing conflict. Similar incidents were also reported in neighboring regions, including Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia.
Yaroslav Trofimov, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, drew attention to signs that were displayed in the region, explicitly prohibiting the entry of Israeli citizens, specifically Jews. He further highlighted an alarming incident in which a Jewish cultural center under construction in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, was set ablaze, with graffiti bearing the message “Death to Yahoods (Jews).”
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
The situation escalated further in the city of Makhachkala, located in Dagestan, where reports emerged of rioters invading an airport and chanting “Allahu Akbar” while hunting for Jews. It was suggested that these actions were sparked by rumors of Jewish refugees from Israel arriving at the airport. Security at the airport was breached as the mob overran the premises, and passengers who were in the process of disembarking had to seek refuge back inside the plane, eventually closing the aircraft doors for safety.
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
Former Radio Liberty reporter Hanna Liubakova also documented the turmoil, posting videos that revealed the extent of the unrest. The videos depicted the crowd breaking through the airport’s runway and actively searching for a plane with Jewish passengers. Inside the plane, announcements were made advising passengers to remain in their seats, while individuals from the mob moved about freely on the runway.
“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. pic.twitter.com/S6RtJSKuCY
— 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
