Leaders of three Jewish communities operating in Azerbaijan have appealed to members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, urging them not to support the initiative to recognize the alleged "Armenian genocide." The appeal, signed by Milikh Yevdayev, Chairman of the Baku Mountain Jews Community, Aleksandr Sharovski, Chairman of the Baku Ashkenazi Jews Community, and Zamir Isayev, Chairman of the Baku Sephardic Jews Community, states that this initiative could negatively impact the nascent peace and stability process in the South Caucasus.
The appeal emphasizes that Azerbaijan's Jewish community is one of the oldest Jewish diasporas in the world, and for centuries, Jews have lived in Azerbaijan in peace, security, and mutual respect. It notes that Jews in the country have freely preserved their religious beliefs, national identity, and traditions.
The document signed by the community leaders specifically highlights that Azerbaijan is one of the rare countries where Jewish life flourishes freely, and the Jewish community receives respect and support from the state and society.
The authors of the appeal also state that relations between Azerbaijan and Israel over the past decades have been based on principles of strategic partnership, mutual trust, and friendship. In their opinion, this cooperation is a successful example of mutual respect and shared interests not only for the two countries but also between a Jewish state and a country with a majority Muslim population. The community leaders regretfully note that the Israeli government has decided to support the recognition of events that occurred 111 years ago as the "Armenian genocide," and the issue is expected to be brought before the Knesset for discussion soon.
In their view, the fact that such an initiative is being brought to the agenda precisely at a time when there is hope for real peace, stability, and good-neighborly relations in the region after many years of tension causes particular concern.
The appeal stresses that political actions by third states regarding such sensitive historical issues can complicate the peace process and may not serve to strengthen reconciliation, mutual understanding, and trust between peoples. The community leaders believe that complex and sensitive historical events should be the subject of scientific research by historians and specialists, not political decisions. In their opinion, politicizing these issues could create unnecessary tension among Israel's sincere friends.
In the appeal, representatives of the Azerbaijani Jewish community state that they bear witness that the Azerbaijani state has always treated its Jewish citizens with respect and care, and that Azerbaijan-Israel relations are built on principles of friendship, trust, and mutual support.
For this reason, they appealed to Knesset members, urging them to demonstrate wisdom and responsibility and not to support the initiative to recognize the alleged "Armenian genocide."
The appeal notes that such a decision will neither benefit the state of Israel nor serve peace and mutual understanding. On the contrary, this step could cause disappointment among people who have always shown unconditional friendship towards Israel.
At the end of the document, the authors express their hope that Knesset members, when making a decision, will be guided by historical responsibility, principles of statehood, and the factors of preserving and further strengthening relations with friendly peoples and states.
