Nino Abesadze: “26 centuries connect Georgia and Israel”

In the early 1990s Nino Abesadze was one of the most popular journalists of Georgia. Later he moved to Israel and worked in various Russian-speaking media institutes. Today Abesadze is a deputy of the parliament of Israel, a member of the party Kadima and the parliamentary lobby on ties with Georgia. VK talked to her about the prospects for Israeli-Georgian relations. This interview was made several days before a terrorist attack attempt in Georgia. However, these events wouldn’t influence the position of Abesadze.

-       Nino, how do you estimate the current level of Israeli-Georgian relations? Are economic and cultural ties developing successfully?

-       I think relations between Georgia and Israel have always been friendly. However, in recent times a new stage of development of economic ties between two countries, as well as of relations between our peoples, has begun. It is proved by the growth in the number of tourists coming to Georgia. Today the country is not only visited by those who once left it, but also by native Israelis of various ages. I have seen young Israeli people in Tbilisi, they decided to spend their holidays right after demobilization from the army; recently-married couples spend their honeymoons in Georgia. Today we can admit that Georgia, its unique nature, fabulous traditions and outstanding wine attract thousands of Israelis.

-       The wine is really great. But what are the cultural ties between two peoples?

-       Georgian ensembles and singers often visit Israel; movies by Georgian directors always participate in the Jerusalem and Haifa film festivals. Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater have several times taken part in the Rishon festival. So cultural exchange is very successful. The most popular translated author in Israel has been Boris Akunin recently. However, I don’t know whether this concerns Israeli-Georgian relations or not.

-       Alright. Let’s speak about policy. Do Israeli and Georgian politicians cooperate with each other, and how does it influence Georgia’s position on the Middle East conflict?

-       I remind you that in our parliament there is the lobby on ties with Georgia, which was formed by three Georgians: me, Tsipli Khotoveli from the Likud party and Abraham Mikhaeli from Shas. We hold permanent missions to Georgia and their parliamentary delegation comes to us. Last time Georgian guests arrived in Israel in January. We have close personal ties. As for Georgia’s position on the Middle East, our contemporary government tries to take a reasonable and well-thought-out decisions and is ready to support any position which would bring peace to our difficult region. I think any other government of Georgia would have the same position. Friendship between the Jewish and Georgian peoples is 26 centuries old, and these relations do not depend on passing political interests.

-       So Israel shouldn’t hope for firm support from Georgia in the UN, should it?

-       I cannot say anything clear on this issue. Representatives of Georgia say they will take the position close to the position of the most democratic countries of the West. They want the region and Israel to be calm and peaceful. This is the position of Georgia. As for the attitude of Georgians to Jewish cultural and spiritual heritage, Abraham Mikhaeli has recently spoken about this in parliament. At the moment they want to destroy an old synagogue of Georgian Jews in Tel-Aviv, and our lobby stands against it. Mikhaeli said: “While Georgia reconstructs synagogues and builds new ones, Israel destroys Georgian synagogues!”

-       How did the story about two Israeli businessmen influence relations between the two countries?

-       It was a really unpleasant story, but both sides emphasized that the event wouldn’t influence relations between the two countries. However, it is nonsense to say that the story didn’t worsen relations between Israel and Georgia. Bad things happen. Israel is a special country, which has never accepted the fact that some of its citizens are in prison abroad.

-       So you think the two Israeli businessmen were punished fairly?

-       I don’t want to interfere with the judicial system of a foreign state. It happened. Israel emphasized from the very beginning that it wouldn’t interfere in the judicial procedures of the other country. Both sides understood they had to find a compromise. I’m glad a compromise was found and relations between our countries are still warm.

-       What position does Georgia expect from Israel in the international arena? For example, on the conflict between Georgia and Russia?

-       I don’t think Georgia expects anything extraordinary, just as Israel doesn’t expect anything extraordinary from Georgia in the conflict with the Palestinians. We are two small countries living in a difficult environment. We understand each other and cooperation between the two countries is developing.