"We remember how the current round of the Middle East crisis began, with a terrorist attack against Israeli civilians and people from other countries on the territory of this state. But we also see that instead of punishing terrorists, revenge has unfortunately been taken" on the people of Gaza "on the principle of collective responsibility."
"When you look at the images of bloodied, dead children, the suffering of the elderly, the death of doctors, your fists clench, but emotions are unacceptable," Putin said.
The US and its allies are the "main beneficiaries of global instability," according to the president, who said the chaos sown in Ukraine, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere is used to "deter and destabilize" their rivals seeking to put an end to the unipolar world order, including Russia.
"They don't need a lasting peace in the Holy Land, they need constant chaos in the Middle East, so they have done their best to discredit those countries which insist on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, insist on stopping the bloodshed, and which are ready to contribute to resolving the crisis. Even the United Nations, the clearly expressed position of the international community is subjected to attacks, genuine persecution and attempts to discredit it," Putin said.
"We have stated and continue to state our position openly, and it does not change from year to year: the key to resolving the conflict is the creation of a sovereign, independent Palestinian state, a full-fledged Palestinian state," he added.
The president called on Russian law enforcement and regional leaders to take firm, timely and clear actions aimed at protecting the constitutional order, as well as the rights and freedoms of citizens. Timely action is necessary to preserve interethnic and interreligious harmony, he stressed.
A total of 83 people have been detained in the Russian Caucasus region of Dagestan after their participation in the riots at the Makhachkala Airport on Sunday. The airport was shut down for inbound and outbound flights after an angry mob swarmed the airport building and the tarmac, spurred on by provocateurs on social media claiming the plane was packed with "Jewish refugees" seeking to escape the Palestine-Israel conflict and to settle in their region.
Photos and videos published to social media showed dozens of people storming the ramp of the Red Wings passenger plane which arrived in Makhachkala from Tel Aviv.
Russian law enforcement responded swiftly, sending riot gear-clad officers to the airport. At least 20 people, including six police officers, sustained injuries in the clashes, with two people now in extremely serious condition, according to local health authorities.
Supreme Mufti of Dagestan Sheikh Akhmad Afandi took to social media to urge for calm. "Regarding today’s events, I sincerely believe you are mistaken, this issue cannot be resolved in such a way... Maximum patience and calm," he urged.
A criminal probe has been launched into the incident, with over 150 active participants in the riots identified.
