Russian Federation - October 2023

Several hundred men stormed an airport in Makhachkala, Dagestan, on 29 October, intending to block the landing of a direct flight from Tel Aviv and prevent Jewish passengers from disembarking. The attacks followed days of false rumours on popular Telegram channels that Israelis were being evacuated to Dagestan. Local and regional authorities struggled to contain the violence, although eventually official reports stated over 200 had been arrested in connection with the violence. Human Rights Watch criticized the authorities’ response, which made no mention of antisemitism, as inadequate, and the overwhelming majority of the detained were only charged with minor administrative crimes with penalties of a few days in custody. Dagestan and its neighboring North Caucasian republics do not have a significant history of antisemitic violence or sentiment, and observers attributed the outbreak to broader unrest over poor socioeconomic conditions and frustration with local governance.

Sources: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Meduza (1), Meduza (2), Human Rights Watch