A targeted campaign has been observed on social media in recent days, aiming to spread false information and tarnish the memory of National Hero of Azerbaijan Albert Agarunov. The goal of this campaign, presumably financed and managed from outside, is to weaken national unity in Azerbaijani society, damage the fraternal relations between the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples, and undermine the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel. Furthermore, it seeks to discredit the Azerbaijani model of multiculturalism.
Previously, these ideological centers, whose sources of funding and management remain unknown, repeatedly attempted to exploit national, religious, and ethnic issues to divide Azerbaijani society. However, the people of Azerbaijan have always demonstrated unity, successfully resisting such attempts.
Albert Agarunov is not just a serviceman, but a symbol of patriotism and devotion to the Motherland in the history of Azerbaijan. As an Azerbaijani citizen of Jewish origin, he had the opportunity to lead a comfortable life or even leave the country at the beginning of the Karabakh War, but he voluntarily joined the ranks of the Azerbaijani army. In 1992, during fierce battles for Shusha, Albert Agarunov heroically died, leaving an indelible mark on the memory of his comrades-in-arms and adversaries with his valor. His tank inflicted such severe blows on the enemy that Armenian armed formations, seeking to use his destroyed tank for propaganda purposes, displayed it at the entrance to Shusha. However, this step only confirmed the fear and courage displayed by Albert Agarunov on the battlefield.
During the Second Karabakh War, when the heroic Azerbaijani army liberated Shusha from occupation, it seemed that Albert Agarunov’s long-cherished dream had come true, and his soul found peace. The victory for the liberation of Shusha became the highest tribute to all martyrs who gave their lives for these lands, including Albert Agarunov.
These facts and his exceptional heroism are a convincing answer to those who are currently conducting slanderous campaigns. Unfortunately, some circles, instead of acknowledging the truth, try to blacken the memory of the National Hero of Azerbaijan, belittling his selflessness and the blood shed for the Motherland through slander and insinuations. However, history preserves not falsifications, but the truth, and the name of Albert Agarunov will forever remain in the memory of the Azerbaijani people as an example of heroism.
For centuries, Jews have lived peacefully and with mutual respect on Azerbaijani soil, considering this country their homeland. When the Motherland was in trouble, Albert Agarunov, like all its sons, proved his devotion not with words, but on the battlefield. With his blood, life, and heroism, he demonstrated that everyone who loves Azerbaijan is an integral part of this Motherland.
Nevertheless, some circles, concerned about the Azerbaijani-Jewish brotherhood, the tolerant environment existing in the country, and the established strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Israel, are trying to undermine these relations with the help of such campaigns.
Why attack a National Hero now?
The question arises: why has the slanderous campaign against our national hero intensified in recent days? This campaign, whose management sources are well known, has several goals.
- Firstly, to damage the centuries-old friendship and fraternal relations between the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples, who have peacefully coexisted in Azerbaijan for thousands of years. These relations are based on centuries of shared living, mutual trust, and traditions of religious tolerance.
Today, Azerbaijani Jews actively participate in the social life of the country, in the fields of science and education, economic development, and even in state structures. Albert Agarunov is a powerful symbolic expression of this historical connection. The purpose of such campaigns is to defame Azerbaijani Jews, push them away from Azerbaijan, and destroy the bonds of friendship and attachment that have formed between the two peoples.
Today, Azerbaijani Jews are an active and strong link in the Azerbaijani diaspora. A large Azerbaijani Jewish diaspora exists in Israel, America, and Russia, and this diaspora plays an important role in conveying the truth about Azerbaijan to the world community. In essence, the goal of such attempts is to deprive our country of these opportunities by spoiling relations between the two peoples.
- Secondly, to undermine the established strategic relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. As is known, there is strong cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel in military, economic, political, social, energy, and other spheres. The State of Israel provided strategic military and technological support to Azerbaijan during the Second Karabakh War, which played an important role in the victory of the heroic Azerbaijani army.
The absence of an Israeli embassy in Armenia and its support for Azerbaijan’s position on many international platforms are vivid examples of these relations. Since these ties cause concern among some regional and ideological circles, symbolic figures of Azerbaijani-Israeli friendship become targets. Albert Agarunov is one of the most powerful such symbols. However, Azerbaijani-Israeli relations have a deeper and more strategic character, and such campaigns cannot harm the existing ties between the two states.
- Thirdly, to attack the multicultural and tolerant values of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan stands out in the world for its tolerant and humanitarian model. Various peoples and religions coexist in the country in conditions of mutual harmony. Forces concerned about this stability and harmony are trying to use various means to strike at Azerbaijani values.
- Fourthly, the growing political and economic influence of Azerbaijan in the region and the world. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the countries distinguished by its stability and successful policies in the world. Our country, by connecting the West with the East through the Zangezur corridor, has turned into a regional player. Azerbaijan conducts an active foreign policy not only in the Caucasus but also in the Middle East, becoming an influential player in the region.
Some circles using terrorism and discrimination as tools cannot come to terms with these successes of Azerbaijan and therefore attack its national and multicultural values. However, the main thing that the forces behind such campaigns forget is that attempts to tarnish Albert Agarunov cannot diminish his heroism or weaken the love of the Azerbaijani people for him.
There is an unchanging truth: Albert Agarunov fought for Azerbaijan and died. Azerbaijani Jews are integral citizens of this country and have historically lived and will continue to live here in safety, and Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are real, deep, and strategic.
In conclusion, I bow my head before the memory of all our martyrs, starting with Albert Agarunov.
May Allah rest the souls of all our martyrs.
Murad Salmanov