Mob Storms Russian Airport in Search of Jewish Passengers

What's the story?

• A group of locals in Dagestan, Russia, a primarily Muslim region, stormed the Makhachkala Uytash Airport airport in search of Jewish passengers arriving from Israel. 
• The riots seemed to be fueled by posts on the Telegram account Utro Dagestan, which encouraged their 60,000 followers to interrogate refugees arriving on a Red Wing Airlines flight from Tel Aviv. The account also urged citizens to follow arriving Israelis, photograph their vehicles, and note their addresses. The airport was forced to close as passengers sought refuge on planes or in the terminal.
• The incident comes as Israel increases its ground operation in Gaza while continuing intense airstrikes.
• In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:

"[Israel] expects the Russian law enforcement authorities to protect the safety of all Israeli citizens and Jews wherever they may be and to act resolutely against the rioters and against the wild incitement directed against Jews and Israelis."

The attack and outcome 

• Videos on social media revealed a crowd inside Makhachkala Uytash Airport and on the landing strip, with people waving Palestinian flags and trying to break through closed doors in the international terminal. Dozens of other people were waiting outside the airport, seemingly to stop traffic.
• Some of the signs held by the rioters read, "We are against Jewish refugees" and "There is no place for child-killers in Dagestan."
• According to local health authorities, 20 people were hurt, with two in critical condition.

The response 

• On Monday, the Dagestani government announced increased security measures in the region of 3 million residents. Local religious leaders are also considering evacuating approximately 800 Jewish families from the area.
• The Kremlin attributed the airport unrest in Dagestan to "external interference" and accused Ukraine of provoking anti-Israel protests and violence, inferring Western influence. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin will discuss with Russia's defense minister and spy chiefs "the West's attempts to use the events in the Middle East to split Russian society."
• On Monday, Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, confirmed the removal of "unauthorized citizens" from the airport.

Should Telegram be accountable for crimes organized on its platform?

-Laura Woods

(Image credit: Telegram/@askrasul)