Israel`s attack raises eyebrows in Azerbaijan
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.
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.
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