Putin has unleashed the spirit of Russian anti-Semitism and Islamic radicalism

The attempted anti-Semitic attack and the riots at the airport in Makhachkala are an indication of how risky Putin’s game is. At the same time, under the Palestinian flag in the Caucasus, the Islamic element, which is not necessarily controlled only by Moscow, is gaining strength.

Moscow has taken the side of Israel’s enemies in the Middle East conflict, including Hamas, Iran, and Syria. Last year, Hamas leaders visited Moscow twice, and there were repeated meetings between Russian Generals and officers with members of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Palestinian organizations in Syria. The Kremlin’s propaganda often portrays Israel as an aggressor that serves US interests. This narrative is well-coordinated and familiar to the Russians, who can easily understand it. Interestingly, the Kremlin’s approach to the war in the Middle East is quite similar to the one about Ukraine. In this case, Israel takes the place of Ukraine, with minor adjustments, while the Palestinians replace the oppressed “people of Donbas.”

It’s not surprising that Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiments began to surface in Russian society. However, this wasn’t due to a sudden change in the Russians’ opinions on Middle Eastern policy. The general population is already deeply apathetic and exhausted with the war depression vibe and unlikely to take any initiative on their own. Any emotional response from Russian society must be stimulated from the top through orders. It has been the case with all kinds of anti-Ukrainian activities in the past, and such trends continue today.

The authorities are closely monitoring specific individuals. It was made evident by the Kremlin’s propaganda campaigns against “hawks” who condemned the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine. As a result, figures like Igor Girkin (Strelkov), Yevgeny Priogozhin, and numerous radical journalists and analysts were eliminated. Girkin is currently in prison, and Prigozhin is no longer alive. The Kremlin must maintain authority over radicalism, but it seems they have lost control over Israel. This loss of governance is most consequential in the North Caucasus, Russia’s “soft underbelly,” where the risk is significant.

Israel like Ukraine

Since the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East, Russian TV channels have been stirring up emotions. Their coverage of the Israeli crimes in Gaza is very one-sided. They talk about Washington pushing Israel to war against the Islamic world. Rhetorical differences aside, the message of Russian television corresponds to that of the Arab, Iranian, and Palestinian media.

It is widely believed that Moscow provides political support to Palestinian terrorists. There is a possibility that they also provide aid through intelligence, training, or weapons supply. However, it is essential to note that Russia is not the primary perpetrator of events in the Middle East but rather a committed supporter. It resembles a fan who occasionally runs onto the field and attacks opposing team players. From the Kremlin’s perspective, the war in Israel is beneficial and is part of the chain of confrontation with the Western world, with the USA leading the way. The Kremlin believes in geopolitics and justifies many things using this pseudoscience concept developed in Soviet times. However, for the average Russian, geopolitical nuances hold less significant value.

Moreover, it is necessary to note that these opinions are often expressed not only in the context of news broadcasts. Many Russians believe that Israel is protecting American interests in the region and being forced into war, much like Ukraine. An average Russian may say “Jews” in everyday conversation.

The levels of anti-Semitic sentiment within Russia have been significant for an extended period. Recently, Putin has been openly using anti-Semitism as an argument. For instance, in June, he referred to Volodymyr Zelensky as the shame of the Jewish people, thereby questioning his lineage. Moreover, in early September, Putin once again questioned Zelensky’s Jewish heritage during an interview with the propaganda station WGTRK. He claimed that Zelensky was using his Jewish origin to cover up Nazi policies.

It is important to recognize that Putin’s words resonate strongly in Russia, especially with the emergence of a new factor that may be overlooked by the Kremlin services – Russian Islam. The recent riots in Makhachkala were triggered by a false rumor that a plane from Tel Aviv had brought many Jews to the city. The aircraft mainly carried Dagestani children from a youth trip to Israel. Nevertheless, a group of angry young residents of Dagestan roamed the airport for several hours in search of the Israelis until OMON forces eventually dispersed them.

According to Putin, the riots were caused by Ukraine and the USA. Washington allegedly instructed Kyiv to initiate the brawl through social media. However, it seems that Putin is blaming Ukraine and the West because he has no other explanation. He is responsible for the turmoil himself, but he is unwilling to accept responsibility for unleashing the spirit of Russian anti-Semitism and Islamic radicalism.

The spectrum of pogroms

Reports have emerged of anti-Semitic violence in the Russian Caucasus over the past few days. On October 28th, a group of people gathered outside a hotel in Khasavyurtk, Dagestan, close to the Chechen border, after rumors circulated that Jews were staying there. In Nalchik, a pile of tires was set alight at the construction site of a Jewish cultural center. In Cherkessk, a crowd demanded the eviction of people of Jewish origin from Karachay-Cherkessia. These incidents have raised concerns about rising anti-Semitic sentiments in the region.

Muslim religious leaders and state authorities attempt to ease the tense situation, but their efforts appear futile. These same authorities have already spilled the milk. Chechnya’s President, Ramzan Kadyrov, recently spoke about the “Zionist genocide in Palestine” and claimed that “Israeli fascism is as bad as Hitler’s.” Meanwhile, young Muslims from Dagestan, Chechnya, and other Islamic republics in the Caucasus are feeling increasingly desperate. Tensions have been escalating for some time now in the Muslim republics of the Russian Federation. The situation has been worsened by statements made by Kadyrov and Putin, as well as passionate appeals from Hamas and other organizations circulating on the internet. The images of Gaza burning on television screens only add fuel to the fire.

About a year ago, there were a series of uprisings in Dagestan, protesting against forced enlistment into the Russian army. The turmoil was primarily driven by poverty, the conflict in Ukraine, and a deep sense of injustice felt toward the Russian authorities and local leaders who were loyal to Moscow. Although some protests were linked to Israel and the Middle East, it was merely used as a pretext for demonstrations and violence. It was the result of years of Kremlin propaganda and the influence of Islamic statements from Iran, Turkey, and Arab countries.

Young Russian Muslims are finding a sense of dignity in something different. They have been actively participating in various rallies, particularly those opposing Israel. By joining these anti-Israel groups, they feel a sense of belonging to a larger global Muslim community. However, while Russia wants to portray itself as a defender of the Palestinians, the ongoing unrest in the Caucasus region is a cause of concern for the Kremlin. The common cultural denominator among Muslims is not under the control of Moscow. Putin has always been concerned about this and spent the first decade of his leadership trying to control the restless spirit of the Caucasian republics. He believed that placing loyal and corrupt elites in the authorities of these republics or Muslim religious structures, along with a police state, would solve the problems. However, this approach failed as aggression against Ukraine and military conscription from Muslim republics have reignited the flames. Many Muslims are now questioning to what extent they should identify with the interests of the Russian state and how much closer they are to the world of Islam.

Putin is currently facing a challenging situation. He cannot strongly condemn the Makhachkala crowd’s attacks, as the violence was initiated by propaganda that he promoted. At the same time, he cannot allow the uncontrolled aggression of a group that repeatedly opposed his government, and now they cite international motivations. Furthermore, anti-Semitic violence reminiscent of 19th and 20th-century Russian pogroms could harm Moscow’s desired role as an arbitrator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ramzan Kadyrov has claimed that the West is attempting to create Palestine within Russia. While there may be some truth to this statement, the Kremlin propaganda machine and Kadyrov’s patron, Putin, have primarily contributed to the growing emotions toward the Middle East in Russia. Their biggest concern is that they may be unable to control the feelings they have helped to provoke, and their actions may ultimately lead to a dangerous and violent backlash against them.

Michał Kacewicz/belsat.eu

Translated by PEV