By Peter Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively for Vestnik Kavkaza
Yesterday, the Shimon Peres Center in Tel Aviv hosted a commemoration for the 22nd anniversary of the Khojaly Tragedy and the 5th anniversary of Justice for Khojaly, initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Fund. Faina Kirschenbaum, Director General of the Israel Our Home Party and Deputy Interior Minister, and MPs Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer (Avoda), Rina Frenkel (Yesh Atid), Constantine Razvozov (Yesh Atid) attended the ceremony. Many emphasize that, to their shame, they have known nothing about the Khojaly Massace for decades and they would have never known if it were not for Justice for Khojaly. At the same time, Israeli politicians emphasized that it was one of the most horrifying tragedies of the 20th century and the world should learn its lessons.
A photo exhibition dedicated to the Khojaly Tragedy was on show at the lobby of the Shimon Peres Center. Verses of Azerbaijani poetess Bat-Zion Abramova about the events were read. A prayer read by rabbi Shmuel Siman-Tova’s sons for victims of Khojaly produced a big impression on. A big impression on guests was made by a prayer for victims of the Khojaly Massacre read by sons of Shmuel Siman-Tov, Head of the Tel Aviv community of mountain Jews from Azerbaijan.
Yegyan Salman, Director of the Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Israel, was the host of the evening. Azerbaijan was represented by MP Fuad Muradov. Alex Miller, President of the Azerbaijan-Israel Association (AzIs), awarded him with the Memory Book with reviews of the Israelis who had visited Justice for Khojaly.
Organizers of the exhibition, emphasized Miller, call the Memory Book the biggest reward for their work because it contains no formal notes. Each line is shot through with sincerity and empathy for innocent people suffering from raving nationalists.
In his speech, Fuad Muradov recalled how the idea to organize the exhibition was started. He described the work of the Heydar Aliyev Fund and the Justice for Khojaly campaign initiated by Leyla Aliyeva to bring truth about the tragedy to the world. Faud Muradov said: “We did not take over anything and we do not want anything belonging to others. We have received a million refugees and we have just recently formed more or less suitable conditions for life. But they really want to return home…
Aggression and violence brought Armenia no good. The republic is on the edge of bankruptcy. We do not wish anything bad for the Armenian people, we only wish them good and welfare. But as long as the government of Armenia is run by corruptionists and aggressors, welfare of the nation and peace with Azerbaijan are a big question. We are ready for a dialogue but there are many forces opposed to peaceful co-existence of Azerbaijan and Armenia today. However, those forces must know that Azerbaijan is different now and it would not allow more blood of its citizens to be spilt…
I really want my compatriots living in Israel to know that they have a friend in Azerbaijan who would visit Israel at least once a year and sho joy over its achievements. I wish our friendly Israeli people peace. Peace without violence.”
Lev Spivak, Director General of AzIs told Vestnik Kavkaza that “the evening at the Shimon Peres Center rounded up a whole set of events dedicated to the Khojaly Tragedy, started at the Diaspora Museum of the Tel Aviv University a year ago. The mobile Justice for Khojaly photo exhibition was seen in ten cities. Tens of thousands of natives of the former USSR and native Israelis paid it a visit. It was given the most extensive public reaction in press. It was important for us to tell Israelis the truth about the Khojaly Tragedy and I believe we have succeeded in no small degree.”
