Baku: The leaders of the three Jewish communities operating in Azerbaijan have appealed to members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, calling on them not to support the initiative to recognize the so-called "Armenian genocide," APA reports. The appeal was signed by Milikh Yevdayev, Chairman of the Religious Community of Mountain Jews in Baku, Alexander Sharovsky, Head of the European Jewish Community in Baku, and Zamir Isayev, Head of the Baku Religious Community of Sephardic Jews. They argue that this move could negatively affect the peace and stability process that has recently begun to take shape in the South Caucasus.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the appeal emphasizes that Azerbaijan's Jewish community is one of the world's oldest Jewish diasporas, with a history of living on Azerbaijani soil for centuries in an atmosphere of peace, security, and mutual respect. It highlights that Jews in the country have been able to freely preserve their religious beliefs, national identity, and traditions. The document particularly notes that Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries where Jewish life develops freely, enjoying respect and support from both the state and society.
The authors of the appeal also underline the relations established between Azerbaijan and Israel over the past decades, based on the principles of strategic partnership, mutual trust, and friendship. They regard this cooperation as an example of successful collaboration based on mutual respect and shared interests, not only for the two countries but also between the Jewish state and a country with a Muslim-majority population.
The community leaders express regret that the Israeli government has adopted a decision supporting the recognition of the events that occurred 111 years ago as the "Armenian genocide," with the issue expected to be submitted to the Knesset for discussion soon. They believe that such an initiative is particularly concerning, given that there is hope for real peace, stability, and good-neighborly relations in the region after many years of tension.
The appeal stresses that political steps by third countries on sensitive historical issues may complicate the peace process and may not serve to strengthen reconciliation, mutual understanding, and trust between peoples. The community leaders advocate for complex and sensitive historical events to be the subject of scholarly research by historians and experts, rather than political decisions, warning that politicization might create unnecessary tension among Israel's sincere friends.
In their appeal, the representatives of Azerbaijan's Jewish community testify to the Azerbaijani state's respectful and caring treatment of its Jewish citizens. They highlight that Azerbaijan-Israel relations have been built on the principles of friendship, trust, and mutual support. Therefore, they urge the Knesset members to demonstrate wisdom and responsibility by not supporting the recognition initiative.
The appeal concludes that such a decision would neither benefit the State of Israel nor serve the cause of peace and mutual understanding. Instead, it could cause disappointment among people who have always maintained an unconditional friendship toward Israel. The authors express hope that the Knesset members will be guided by historical responsibility, statehood principles, and the need to preserve and strengthen relations with friendly peoples and states when making their decision.
Official Baku has called on the Israeli government to reconsider its decision regarding the so-called "Armenian genocide."