North Ossetia Leader Response to Regional Tensions and Pro-Palestine Demonstrations
Sergei Menyailo, the president of North Ossetia, described the events in Dagestan as an externally orchestrated provocation in a message released through his book Telegram channel. He stressed that the North Caucasus is a region that brings together many nationalities and religions, and he affirmed the community’s long-standing, welcoming attitude toward people of all backgrounds.
He expressed concern that xenophobia emerging in neighboring regions appears to be nourished from outside Russia. Menyailo also acknowledged the sympathy shown by Muslims who want to express solidarity with Palestine, noting that support for a cause does not justify aggression toward any group. He warned that the country is facing a stealthy and dangerous adversary that employs inhumane methods, urging people to remain calm and discerning in their responses.
The head of North Ossetia urged people not to lend credence to hoaxes and cautioned against participating in protests that could destabilize social cohesion. He emphasized that the strength of society lies in unity and resilience against manipulation from outside forces.
On the evening of October 29, a crowd gathered with the stated intent of reaching Makhachkala airport, declaring their aim to locate and confront Jewish communities. Security agencies reported that the airport was reinforced, though there was no interference with the procedure for checking documents for arriving travelers. The gathering coincided with announcements that Israel-bound refugees would be barred from entering the republic in response to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In Karachay-Cherkessia, a rally took place on October 28 opposing the arrival of refugees from Israel to the North Caucasus. Several dozen participants were detained for violations of the regulations governing demonstrations.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, noted on October 26 that Tahajjud prayers were held in mosques across the republic in support of Palestine. He expressed a prayerful wish for God to help safeguard the Palestinian people from oppression.
The broader regional context includes concerns about manifestations of antisemitism and the impact of regional political rhetoric that can fuel hostility. Public figures in the North Caucasus have called for calm, unity, and vigilance against manipulation that could threaten communal harmony.