Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
The justice for Khojaly photo exhibition which is travelling about Israel for almost a year was opened in Akko where one of the most awful outrages of the Middle Ages took place.
In the late 12th century after a long siege of the city, Muslim residents agreed to abandon Akko to crusaders, if they saved their lives. When crusaders entered the city, Richard I stated that he would fulfill the condition, only if the Muslims paid a huge ransom. Sultan Salah ad-Din (Saladin) began to collect money, but ran out of time. Then, the crusaders took the majority of captives – 3 000 people – outside the city and cut them dead. That’s how a dreadful historic call-over between the massacre of the 12th century and bloodshed in Khojaly in the 20th century appeared.
Native Israeli citizens who attended the exhibition said that it reminded them events of the 20th century – Holocaust of the Jews committed by fascists. Mayor of Akko Shimon Lankri spoke at the opening ceremony. He expressed his deep grief about the Khojaly tragedy of 1992. He hopes that the occupied Azerbaijani territories will soon be returned and all refugees will come back home. Lankri also told about the role of natives of Azerbaijan in the cultural and social life of the city. He stated that a building for the Cultural Center of Mountain Jews Community is being built in the city; and the first floor will be given to the International Association of Israel-Azerbaijan, AzIs.
The leader of the Mountain Jews Community of Akko, Shirin-Nehemia Michaeli, expressed his gratitude to initiators of the exhibition, emphasizing that Jews of Azerbaijan saved love and warm memories about the land where they lived in peace and prosperity for centuries. Michaeli paid special attention to progressive and peaceful policy which is provided by Azerbaijan headed by President Ilham Aliyev and wished the Azerbaijani people peace.
A member of the AzIs Board, Arje Gut, spoke about tragic events in Khojaly in February 1992 and occupation of the Azerbaijani lands by Armenia, as well as about modern cooperation between Azerbaijan and Israel in various spheres.
The Director General of AzIs, Lev Spivak, the main aim of the exhibition is explaining the essence of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia and crimes committed by the occupants to Israel as a part of the international society to prevent such tragedies in the world. Spivak expressed gratitude to Heydar Aliyev Fund, Justice for Khojaly Company, and Akko administration for organization of the exhibition.
