Israel's
Ministry of Health said that 21 people have been diagnosed with West
Nile virus, of which 17 have been hospitalized with neurological
symptoms. Of the confirmed patients, two patients died over the weekend
in Petach Tikva's Beilinson Hospital. Three patients are on ventilators.
Since
2011, most of the patients diagnosed with the West Nile virus were over
65 years old. the next most affected age group was between the ages of
45-64. As a general rule, about 80 percent of those infected do not
develop symptoms. About 20 percent of those infected will have symptoms
of varying severity, including fever, general malaise, headaches, or
generalized body aches. Neurological complications will appear in less
than 1 percent of those infected.
In
the meantime, the Ministry of Health refined instructions for the
medical teams and instructed them to emphasize the diagnosis and
monitoring of the disease. In order to reduce exposure to mosquitoes,
the Ministry of Health recommends using mosquito repellents and
appropriate accessories to keep mosquitoes away in the living rooms, as
well as turning on fans in the resting place.
West
Nile virus has affected Israel for years and occurs mainly between the
months of June and November. This year, the morbidity began earlier than
usual, likely due to climate changes in Israel and around world.
Humidity in the central part of the country may lead to increased
reproduction of mosquitoes in this area. The risk of morbidity is
highest among adults and people with immunosuppression issues.
In
cases of West Nile virus, the Ministry of Health conducts an
epidemiological investigation that is forwarded to the Environmental
Protection Ministry for local pest control operations by the
authorities. In addition, the Health and Environmental Protection
Ministries inform the public about areas where mosquitoes infected with
the virus are caught.
Derbentin synagoga paloi perustuksia myöten Wallan antaman tiedon mukaan ja vartijat saivat surmansa. Synagogissa ei ollut ihmisiä rukoilemassa terrori-iskun aikana. Ortodoksikirkossa pappi surmattiin. Poliiseja sai usea surmansa usea ja kuolleiden määrä on noussut yhdeksään tähänastisten uutisten mukaan.
(Klo on 22:11 Ruotsissa).
Useita on ilmoitettu haavoittuneiksi.
i24news kertoo uutisista englanniksi 15 minuuttia sitten.
...
Joitain aikoja siten on olut Venjällä terrori-isku konserttisaliin. Moskovan synagogaa on uhattu ja ilmeisesti siellä on voitu estää terrori-isku. Viime lokakuussa Isis-terroristit etsivät Mahachkalan lentokentällä Israelista tulevia turisteja surmatakseen heitä.
Asiasta kertoivat kansallinen terrorismin vastainen komitea ja poliisi.
Hyökkäykset
tehtiin Mahatshkalan ja Derbentin kaupungeissa. Muun muassa
suuronnettomuuksia tutkiva Venäjän tutkintakomitea sanoo tutkivansa
tapauksia terroritekoina.
Dagestanin asukkaista suurin osa on islaminuskoisia.
– Tänä
iltana Derbentin ja Mahatshkalan kaupungeissa tehtiin aseellisia
hyökkäyksiä kahteen ortodoksikirkkoon, synagogaan ja poliisin
tarkastuspisteeseen, sanoi kansallinen terrorismin vastainen komitea
lausunnossaan uutistoimisto Ria Novostille.
Hyökkäyksissä haavoittui lisäksi 12 poliisia, kertoi Dagestanin sisäministerin Gajana Garijeva Ria Novostille.
Jewish community in Dagestan: history and recent challenges - explainer
This community has preserved its distinct cultural and religious practices despite geographical and political isolation.
The Jewish community in Dagestan,
primarily consisting of Mountain Jews, has a rich history and faces
unique challenges in recent years. The Mountain Jews, also known as
Tats, trace their origins back to Persian-speaking regions and have
lived in the Caucasus since at least the 8th century.
This
community has preserved its distinct cultural and religious practices
despite geographical and political isolation. Historically, Mountain
Jews settled in various parts of Dagestan, with significant populations
in cities like Derbent and Makhachkala.
Derbent, one of the oldest
cities in the region, has been a central hub for Jewish life, boasting
multiple synagogues before the Bolshevik Revolution. Today, only the
Kele-Numaz Synagogue remains active in Derbent, serving as a focal point
for the dwindling Jewish population, according to reports.
Dagestan,
a republic in Russia's North Caucasus, borders the Caspian Sea to the
east and Georgia and Azerbaijan to the south. Its capital is
Makhachkala. Known for its ethnic diversity, with over 30 ethnic groups
and 100 languages, Dagestan predominantly practices Sunni Islam. The
region has a complex history of resistance against empires and faces
challenges like political instability and economic development, despite
its resources in agriculture, oil, and industry.
During
the Soviet era, Mountain Jews managed to maintain their religious
practices discreetly, such as baking matzo for Passover and lighting
Sabbath candles, far from the anti-Semitic policies prevalent in other
parts of the Soviet Union. This cultural resilience continued despite
the harsh conditions imposed by the Soviet regime, as noted by various
sources.
In
recent decades, the Jewish population in Dagestan has faced significant
challenges. The collapse of the Soviet Union and subsequent regional
conflicts, particularly the Chechen wars, have led to increased violence
and instability. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism has further
complicated the situation, causing many Jews to emigrate. For instance,
the Jewish population in Dagestan has plummeted from around 50,000 to
fewer than 10,000 in recent years, with many relocating to Israel, the
United States, or other parts of Russia, according to the Jewish
Telegraphic Agency.
Kele-Numaz Synagogue in Derbent, Dagestan, Russia (credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Increased ethnic tensions
Despite
their drastically diminished numbers, the Mountain Jews in Dagestan and
elsewhere in the North Caucasus have maintained their communities.
However, recent years have seen an increase in interethnic tension and
acts of violence, prompting many to consider emigration for safety.
Roman Ashurov, a prominent community member, highlighted the dangers
faced, including kidnappings by Chechen gangs who targeted Jews for
ransom, as reported by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty.
In
recent years, the Jewish community in Dagestan has faced significant
threats, including a notable terrorist incident on October 29, 2023,
when a mob stormed Makhachkala Airport in search of Jewish passengers
arriving from Israel. This attack was incited by ongoing global
antisemitic agitation linked to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The mob, shouting antisemitic slogans, managed to breach airport
security and caused significant chaos, leading to the airport's
temporary closure and heightened security measures by local authorities,
according to Jerusalem Post articles.
This
incident wasn't isolated. Just earlier that day, a Jewish center under
construction in Dagestan was set ablaze, with the words "Death to the
Jews" inscribed on its walls. These events underscored a worrying rise
in antisemitic violence in the region, exacerbated by geopolitical
tensions and extremist propaganda.
Local
and international Jewish leaders have expressed deep concern about the
safety of Jews in Dagestan. Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, the president of
the Conference of European Rabbis,
emphasized the need for Russian authorities to take decisive action
against such extremism. Similarly, the Coordination Center for Muslims
of the North Caucasus condemned the riots, highlighting the importance
of maintaining interfaith harmony. This perspective was shared by both
the Post and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Despite
these challenges, the Jewish community in Dagestan, particularly in
cities like Derbent and Makhachkala, continues to strive for peace and
coexistence. However, the recent violent incidents have prompted many to
consider emigration for safety, adding to the long-standing trend of
Jewish emigration from the region due to economic hardships and security
concerns.
