ISRAEL’S ATTACK RAISES EYEBROWS IN AZERBAIJAN
hp?news_id=9763
07-01-2009 04:13:34
Israel`s military offensive in the Gaza Strip that caused numerous
human casualties has sparked public discontent in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani government expressed deep concern over the
developments. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry
reaffirmed its support for the efforts aimed at establishing an
independent Palestinian state. It also wished peace and stability to
the people of Palestine.
Tensions in the Middle East have reached their peak, with nearly 600
people killed and over 2,600 wounded over 11 days of hostilities. It
is currently impossible to cite the precise death toll as rescue
workers are unable to enter the conflict zone.
Azerbaijan`s clerical body has urged Muslim nations to state a
firm position on the Gaza violence. In an appeal forwarded to the
Organization for Islamic Conference (OIC), the Caucasus Clerical
Office (CCO) suggested convening an extraordinary OIC meeting to mull
the crisis.
"If we achieve the conduct of such a meeting and the adoption of a
decision by the OIC members unequivocally denouncing Israel`s actions,
this could put an end to Israel`s military aggression," the CCO
chairman, Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazada told the press. "The Islamic
world must firmly say its piece regarding the Gaza developments. These
events cannot be tolerated."
Pashazada said the events unfolding in the Gaza Strip appear to be
mainly aimed against Iran. While making it clear that this conclusion
was based on his personal views, the Sheikh stressed that some
countries are trying to cause Iran "to lose its political balance"
and make a mistake, and to further use this blunder to set the stage
for a multi-directional attack on the Islamic republic.
"An image of cruelty of the Shia society is currently being created
in the world, and this policy suits a number of Muslim countries,
as well. This is my personal opinion, but I think it isn`t far from
reality," Pashazada said.
The CCO was the first official Azerbaijani body that condemned
Israel`s attack in Gaza. On the third day of hostilities, December
29, it released a statement denouncing the killings of civilians
and the destruction of towns and villages in the Gaza Strip. The
CCO also expressed hope that the military operations, which started
with Israel`s air strikes on the positions of Hamas, will stop soon,
further loss of innocent life will be prevented and all outstanding
problems resolved by peaceful means.
Although the entire world community has come out against the Mideast
violence and called on Israel to stop the hostilities, which are the
deadliest violence in the territory in decades, the Israeli troops keep
on bombing the areas. The intense shooting being launched from air,
tanks and artillery weapons continues causing civilian casualties
and injuries. Those injured are deprived of medical aid due to the
Gaza Strip`s being in a blockade.
Islamic nations have angrily condemned the attack, and a number of
world leaders as well as the UN secretary general and the Pope urged
the sides to immediately end stand-off. Thousands of people have
staged anti-Israel demonstrations in many countries.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Israel, which blames the outbreak
of violence on Hamas, had planned its military attack, called Melted
Lead, six to eight months ahead of time.
This suggests that when reaching a ceasefire accord with Hamas,
Tel-Aviv was actually shaping up its incursion into the Gaza Strip,
analysts say.
The Garabagh Liberation Organization (GLO), a hard-line Azerbaijani
group, reacted angrily to Israel`s attack. In a statement, it
said the Israeli troops` conducting military operations in Gaza
once again indicated that Tel-Aviv is reluctant to relinquish its
desire to occupy the area. The GLO labeled the killings of civilians,
including innocent women and children, and the destruction of numerous
residential buildings, schools and mosques as a crime against humanity.
Further, the group claimed that the Israeli regime has refused to
recognize the rights of Palestinians for 60 years and is impeding the
enforcement of the UN decision on the establishment of the Palestinian
state. It also blamed world powers and international organizations
for what it called aiding the occupying regime by failing to take
substantial steps to resolve the situation.
According to the GLO, the Azerbaijani government and public should
not remain indifferent to what it sees as the Israeli authorities`
policy of annihilation and put forth a firm stance on the issue.
"We support the Palestinians` fair cause and decisively denounce the
barbaric actions of the Israeli regime. We demand that the Israeli
government put an end to its policy of massacre and that the UN and
other international organizations impose sanctions on Israel."
Meanwhile, residents of Nardaran, a stronghold of Islamic tradition
located about 40 km north of Baku, protested Israel`s military
offensive in Gaza.
During the protest staged on Monday, participants shouted slogans
against Israel and the United States. Rural women, taking part in
such a demonstration for the first time, expressed their support for
the women of Palestine and burned Israeli and US flags.
Local elders who spoke at the rally voiced discontent over
the Azerbaijani government`s current attitude toward unfolding
developments.
The rural residents pledged to continue protesting until Israel stops
its military action in the Gaza Strip.
The protesters also demanded the release of those arrested several
days ago while picketing outside the Israeli embassy in Baku.