Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'

Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in mostly Muslim region of Dagestan

Law enforcement officers patrol an area outside the airport in Makhachkala, Russia
Hundreds of men rampaged through the airport in Makhachkala following reports that a flight carrying Israeli refugees was arriving
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Israel has urged Russia to protect "all its citizens and all Jews" after an angry mob stormed a Dagestan airport in search of passengers arriving from Tel Aviv.

Video footage obtained by Reuters shows hundreds of anti-Israeli protesters, mostly young men, "waving Palestinian flags, breaking down glass doors and running through the airport on Sunday evening shouting 'Allahu Akbar', or 'God is Greatest'". 

The riot erupted after reports on social media platform Telegram that a flight carrying "refugees from Israel" was due to land in Makhachkala, in Russia’s mostly Muslim southerly region of Dagestan, said The Guardian. Passengers "were forced to take refuge in planes or hide in the airport for fear of being attacked".

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