Israel has called upon Russia to protect the safety of all its citizens, particularly Jews, following a disturbing incident where a large mob, some spewing antisemitic slogans, stormed an airport in Dagestan, Russia.

Video footage circulating on social media depicted an angry crowd running through the Makhachkala airport, seemingly targeting arrivals from Tel Aviv. In a troubling turn of events, some individuals breached security and even occupied the airport's runway.

Fortunately, Russia's aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, reported that security forces managed to regain control of the situation. As a precaution, the airport has been closed and will remain so until Tuesday. Originally, authorities had considered a week-long temporary closure.

The local interior ministry has detained approximately 60 individuals suspected of involvement in the mob. Video clips captured the scene of hundreds of people forcefully entering the airport terminal, some displaying Palestinian flags.

In the chaos, some demonstrators were even stopping vehicles outside Makhachkala's airport, apparently searching for Israeli passports.

Tragically, twenty people sustained injuries, including police officers, with some in critical condition, according to the republic's health ministry.

Dagestan, located in the North Caucasus and primarily Muslim, is home to approximately 3.1 million people.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office stressed the need for Russia to take decisive action against any incitement of violence targeting Jews and Israelis. The United States joined in condemning the antisemitic protests, with a presidential spokesperson underscoring unwavering support for the global Jewish community.

While Dagestan's government expressed solidarity with Gaza, they urged citizens to remain calm and refrain from participating in such protests. The Governor of Dagestan, Sergei Melikov, condemned the mob's actions, describing them as a betrayal to Dagestani patriots, including those serving in the Russian armed forces.

Israel's foreign ministry has confirmed that the Israeli ambassador in Moscow is working closely with Russian authorities and called for robust measures to protect Israeli citizens and Jews from further harm.

This unsettling incident comes amid widespread international protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, reflecting the complexities and tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.