By Rachel Avraham
In recent days, Azerbaijan and Israel celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations. In honor of the occasion, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry tweeted that “today marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. We send our best wishes to the government and people of the State of Israel. Looking forward to the further development of Azerbaijan-Israel cooperation.”
Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov stated on this important day: “We are celebrating 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Azerbaijan. Relations between our countries are as old as they are strong as their history.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry tweeted on this great occasion: “As we mark 30 years of diplomatic relations with our good friend Azerbaijan, we celebrate the excellent people to people connection and deep strategic cooperation between our countries.”
According to reports in the Azerbaijani media, the Consulates General of Azerbaijan and Israel, and the Valley Outreach Synagogue, have jointly held an event in Los Angeles to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. Consul General Nasimi Aghayev stated at the event: ““For the past 30 years, Azerbaijan and Israel have successfully proved that Muslims and Jews can be friends and brothers, and can do wonders working together.”
Dr. Hillel Newman, Consul General of Israel, added: ““The Israel-Azerbaijan relationship can be a model for regional relations and even global relations. This relationship demonstrates that the conflicts today are not between religious or ethnic groups but between moderates and radicals. Azerbaijan and Israel are in the same camp of value-orientated moderates.”
Rabbi Ron-Li Paz, the Spiritual Leader of the Valley Outreach Synagogue, said: “It is an absolute thrill to host this celebration in our synagogue and to let the community as a whole know that even in darkened times there is good reason for optimism. Now more than ever, the example of the relationship between a Muslim-majority country in the Caucasus, Azerbaijan, and the Jewish homeland, Israel, is extraordinarily powerful. All of us need to know that these friendships are possible and beneficial.”
Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also hosted a special event marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and Azerbaijan. Israel’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan George Deek attended, as did Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Co-Chair of the Israeli-Azerbaijani Joint Intergovernmental Commission, and Israeli Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov.
In honor of the occasion, Ayoob Kara, who served as Israel’s Communication, Cyber and Satellite Minister under Netanyahu, stated: “I think Azerbaijan is an example of a good relationship between states and religions, between citizens and majority and minority. It is an example of good neighborliness and humanity for other states. This state supports peace in the world and supports the human rights.”
According to him, “Azerbaijan is a very important country for humanity and I think that all the Western countries have to cooperate with Azerbaijan in every area of their economy and to support their policies for this is the way to build up the country, as we need all the countries in Eastern Europe and the Middle East to become like Azerbaijan.”
