‘All Israelis should receive’ Russian airport treatment, Islamic media figure says

Dilly Hussain, an influential Islamic media figure, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) of a Russian airport being stormed by pro-Palestinian protesters looking to attack people coming in from a flight originating from Israel.

“This is the kind of welcome ALL Israelis should be receiving at the airports of Muslim-majority countries,” Hussain wrote in response to the video. 

This is the kind of welcome ALL Israelis should be receiving at the airports of Muslim-majority countries. https://t.co/3JpFRd2jZp

— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) October 29, 2023

Despite his earlier comment calling for "ALL Israelis" to be attacked at airports of Muslim-majority countries, Hussain later backtracked on his comments by posting: "I believe in the legal right for pro-Palestine protestors to express their opposition and disgust at Israeli war crimes and apartheid in every *non-violent* way available.

"I am against the harming of civilians and non-combatants while protesting. As far as I’m aware, the Dagestani protestors are angry at airport security and police for not letting them protest in front of Israeli arrivals — they’re not hunting to attack or kill Jews, this is a typical distortion of events by Zionists, and it would be against the teachings of Islam if it were true," he said.

"And yes, I also believe Israelis should experience and witness how Muslims around the world feel towards the occupying Zionist entity."

I believe in the legal right for pro-Palestine protestors to express their opposition and disgust at Israeli war crimes and apartheid in every *non-violent* way available.I am against the harming of civilians and non-combatants while protesting. As far as I’m aware, the… https://t.co/dH0mKjvFsz

— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) October 29, 2023

In another comment attached to a video of the Dagestan airport attack, Hussain wrote: “More scenes from Dagestan. Love to my brothers.” 

More scenes from Dagestan. Love to my brothers. https://t.co/Y0mXpw9tDl

— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) October 29, 2023

In an X post made earlier in the day, Hussain accused Israel of being an “apartheid terrorist entity which burns and decapitates babies, kidnaps children, rapes women.” These are all atrocities that Hamas terrorists committed against Israeli civilians during the October 7 attack. 

This is your daily reminder that @Israel is a Zionist apartheid terrorist entity which burns and decapitates babies, kidnaps children, rapes women and documents all of it on body-cams. https://t.co/ukHemu3FBA

— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) October 29, 2023 

Who is Dilly Hussain?

Hussain is currently employed as the deputy editor of the British Islamic commentary\ News site 5Pillars. In addition to this role, he writes blog posts for the Huffington Post and writes features for Al Jazeera.

Hussain has appeared on the recently-fined Islam Channel, Russia Today, BBC Look East, BBC South, and BBC radio stations.

Gary Mond, Chairman of the National Jewish Assembly, remarked to The Jerusalem Post that "At a time when levels of antisemitism, especially in the UK, are reaching record levels, this type of comment can be viewed as incendiary. It is hate speech, pure and simple, and has no place in our society. Additionally, his statement regarding Israel is false at every level."