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51THE ROLE OF THE JEWISH DIASPORA OF AZERBAIJANI ORIGIN LIVING IN ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN ON THE RELATIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN
GUNAY SAFAROVA RASHAD
Lecturer (The Instructor of Hebrew) of the Department of Foreign Languages and the Specialist of
Israel and the Middle East Studies Center Azerbaijan University of Languages. Baku, Azerbaijan Ph.D student of ANAS (Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, Institute of History named after
Abbasgulu Agha Bakikhanov)
Annotation. This article analyses the role of the Jewish diaspora of Azerbaijani origin living in Israel on the relations between Israel and Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Israel have close ties and extensive cooperation since the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 7, 1992, and Israel established embassy in Baku on August 29, 1993. It should be noted that the Jewish diaspora factor plays a decisive role in the in the formation of good relations between states. Also, many Azerbaijanis live in Israel, which acts as a key factor in these bilateral relations.
Keywords: Israel, Azerbaijan, Jewish diaspora of Azerbaijani origin, Mountain Jews, diplomatic relations, Gyrmyzy Gasaba, The Second Karabakh War
We know that different tribes and people lived in Azerbaijan since ancient times and one of them are the Jews. The Jews of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who are around 30 thousand, have maintained their own traditional culture, including religion, language, and mentality. Even they have several synagogues in Azerbaijan Republic, especially in Baku and in Guba, in "Krasnaya Sloboda" (Jewish settlement in the city of Guba). As a Muslim country, the level of relations between Azerbaijan and Israel is very interesting and important.
There is no other example for Israel to have such close relations between Islamic countries, and Israel uses this to change its anti-Islamic image in the world public opinion [1].
It is not secret that the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Israel have close ties and extensive cooperation since the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence in 1991. So, Israel recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December, 1991 and it was one of the first countries in this case and since the opening of the Israeli Embassy in our country, there have been close diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. This close partnership and extensive relations played a main role in Azerbaijan's success in the 2020 the Second Karabakh War.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 7, 1992, and Israel established its embassy in Baku on August 29, 1993. Although Azerbaijan has not reciprocated by opening an embassy in Israel, out of concern of losing support from the Arab and Muslim bloc in UN resolutions related to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, however, in the wake of the 2020 war it was finally opened in 2022.
So, the restoration of Azerbaijani control over its historical territories in the 2020 war has rendered Baku less dependent on the Arab bloc at the United Nations [2, p.191]. While there is an Israeli Embassy in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, the latter only had commercial and tourist offices in Tel Aviv. This in part reveals the nature of the diplomatic strategy Azerbaijan has begun to follow in recent years, which has reached the point of normalisation agreements [7].
It is known that, Azerbaijan has been home to a Jewish community for over 2,500 years. Today, most of them live in Baku and in the northern region of Quba. The number of them approximately 30,000/ which makes the Jewish community in Azerbaijan the largest in the Muslim world today.
If we look at history, we will see that by the decree of the khan of the Quba Khanate Huseynali Khan, in 1722, an area was allocated for the settlement of mountain Jews in the area called "Gala duzu", that located on the shore of Gudyalchay. From 1731, the mass immigration of Jews began here. During the years when Fatali Khan, the son of Huseynali Khan, was in power (1758-1789), this process expanded further, Jews from Dagestan, Baku, Iran and Turkey settled here, and freely performed their religious services, engaged in gardening, trade and crafts. During the reign of Fatali Khan, the Jews were always treated kindly and they were always protected from persecution. The Jews of Guba themselves say that they were brought to Guba during the reign of Huseynali Khan, Khan. Even today, mountain Jews living in Guba express their gratitude for Fatali Khan's mercy and justice [8, pp.99-103].
The Jews who settled in the Gyrmyzy Gasaba (Red Village) of Guba were mainly engaged in carpet weaving, leather business, trade, agriculture, tobacco growing, horticulture and dyeing. In 1856, the number of residents of the settlement was 3,000 people, and in 1916, their number increased to 8,400 people. Even this settlement is called "Gufla Iyerushalaim", that is, "Little Jerusalem". Another Jewish settlement in Azerbaijan was Vartashen, which is now Oguz territory. Today, most Jews have migrated to Russia and Israel [3].
The largest mountain Jewish community in the world was in the city of Guba in Azerbaijan and Derbent in Dagestan. During World War II, Mountain Jews was systematically persecuted by the Germans, just like Jews living in other parts of the world. However, in 1942 German policy changed and this prevented the persecution of a number of Mountain Jews [6, pp. 96-114].
There has never been anti-Semitism in Azerbaijan and the Jewish population that has lived here for centuries has a significant contribution to Israel's influence in Azerbaijan.
The Jewish community of Azerbaijan is comprised of several groups, including Mountain Jews (this group of Jews hails mainly from Azerbaijan and Russia's north Caucasus), Georgian Jews, and Ashkenazi Jews [2, p.193]. So Jews in Azerbaijan mainly come from the Juhura and Ashkenazi branches. Ashkenazis, considered European Jews mainly live in Baku, while Juhuras considered Mountain Caucasian Jews generally live in the north of the country in the Oguz and Guba districts and partially in the capital.
Mountain Jews called "Juhuro" or "Juhud" called themselves mainly "Juhuro Imuni", that is, "Jews of the Eastern Caucasus" or "Ivri", "Jew" by another name [9, p. 78].
It should be noted that Ashkenazi and Juhura languages differ from each other. There are also some differences in their names, surnames, cultures and customs. It is very difficult to calculate the Jewish population in Azerbaijan in the past, since in Judaism the lineage traditionally continues through the mother. However, since many Jews here immigrated to Israel during the independence period [1].
It should be noted that the Jewish diaspora factor plays a major role in the relations between the two countries. Also, many Azerbaijanis live in Israel, which acts as a key factor in these bilateral relations.
The Jews in Azerbaijan are in close contact with Israel, and Israel also maintains its relations with them seriously. The number of Jews immigrated to Israel from Azerbaijan is about 25 thousand. What is noteworthy here is that, in addition to the Jews, people of Azeri origin also settled in Israel, the population of which is around 35 thousand. Jews in Azerbaijan carry out activities together under the roof of several
1 Based on data collected by the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry. This organization is the main international organization that researches the Jews of Eurasia and supports these communities.
ОФ "Международный научно-исследовательский центр "Endless Light in Science"
NGOs that they have established. Elhanan Rahiel was the chairman of the Union of Immigrants from Azerbaijan. In the 1980s, Rahiel was arrested by the KGB in Soviet-era Azerbaijan, as a member of the Shoresh Sion (утх wtiw) organization, for distributing secret declarations containing Zionist propaganda [1].
Another interesting detail is that the Zionists were engaged in large-scale activities in Azerbaijan between 1905 and 1928. During these years, the organization called Poaley Sion (утх was sending delegates to the World Zionist Congress as well as the conferences it held. The organization also had a newspaper called "Palestine", which was published in Baku. "Haifa-Baku Friendship Association" and "Aziz" Azerbaijan-Israel Society are well known among the communities of both countries. These NGOs organize at least one or two events almost every month and reflect their activities to the media. The number of volunteers who are members of "Aziz" is around 50 thousand. Jews in Israel are also related to those in Azerbaijan through these NGOs, apart from their ties of kinship.
The Jews, who have lived in peace and tranquility with the Azerbaijani people for years, also work in harmony with the state authorities. Most of them see the problems of Azerbaijan, which they know as their homeland, as their own problem, and even show the same sensitivity as other Azerbaijani citizens on the issues of Karabakh and the Armenian occupation. Jews show their patriotic attitude towards Azerbaijan at every opportunity and on every platform with various activities. However, of course, these Jews are trying to impose that the state of Israel is also a friend of Azerbaijan, and they use the media very well for this.
It is no longer a secret that Israel is an important strategic partner for Azerbaijan, with technology and information flowing in exchange for oil. Most oil in Israel comes from Baku. Israeli electronic companies now operate under foreign registration in Azerbaijan to build its defence system and develop its information technology industry [7].
Joint trade and investment projects are of great importance for both countries. Among the countries with which Israel has commercial relations, Azerbaijan is in the top ten, surpassing Russia and many European countries with large economies. For example, in 2008, Azerbaijan sold 3.5 billion dollars of oil to Israel. This figure corresponded to 25% of the country's exports at that time. Israel meets 2040% of its annual oil needs from the oil it buys from Azerbaijan. Starting from the 2000s, Azerbaijan has purchased various types of weapons from Israel for 5 billion dollars. The leading companies of the Israeli arms industry (Tadiran, BlueBird, Elbit Sistems) keep the pulse of these valuable customers through their offices in Baku, and thus continue to sign new contracts.
Azerbaijan and Israel enjoy strong relations that are based on many factors, including security, trade, tourism and cooperation in the humanitarian field. Israel is one of the main suppliers of the modern weapons that proved themselves so well during the Second Karabakh war, in which Azerbaijan liberated the territories occupied by Armenia. At the same time, Azerbaijan supplies Israel with oil in significant quantities [10].
Israeli companies are also very active and successful in the telecommunications and construction sectors. Israel's GTIB company became the first mobile operator of Azerbaijan in 1994. Today, the company holds at least 30% of the market with its Bakcell brand. Tourism between the two countries is also developing every year. The number of Israeli citizens who come to the beaches of Eylat, Azeri and Caucasus mountains for vacation is increasing year by year.
There are also joint studies between the two countries in the field of higher education. A Hebrew department has been opened at Baku State University, and many Azerbaijani students are studying at Israel's technical universities.
It should be noted that the Israeli and Middle East Studies Centre was opened in 2005-2006 in collaboration with the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan. The Centre was initiated following the introduction
of the Israeli Studies program within the Faculty of International Relations and Regional Studies at Azerbaijan University of Languages. The Centre, which is open to students and staff from Azerbaijan University of Languages as well as other Universities, is well-equipped and contains all necessary technical means to facilitate effective research. The activities of the Centre are aimed to support the academic goals of the program and to encourage students to expand their knowledge of the region, in particular of Israel. The Centre provides students, as well as teachers involved in the program, rich resources including books (about 800 titles in Hebrew, English and Russian), periodicals and audiovisual materials; hosts lectures and book presentations; and holds cultural activities to facilitate students' exposure to the social and cultural realities of Israel and Middle East. These activities are predominantly held through the collaboration of the Embassy of Israel in Azerbaijan. Thanks to this collaboration the Centre has established long-term cooperation with a number of Israel Universities including Tel-Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Haifa University. The Centre also initiates international programs within which students and graduates participate in different study tours, seminars, language courses financed by the government of Israel. Some of these programs last as long as one year. Needless to say that all these initiatives greatly contribute to further enhancement of diplomatic, academic and cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Israel. The Centre has supervised the organization of a number of significant events such as the visits of the former President Shimon Peres (2009), Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee, David Harris (2016) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel Avigdor Lieberman (present Minister of Finance) in connection with the 20th anniversary of Azerbaij ani-Israeli diplomatic relations (2012). As an outcome of his visit, three students received a grant to study in Israel. The Centre has also facilitated visits of Israeli professors and specialists during which they met with Azerbaijani students and delivered lectures to them on various themes [5].
The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, while evaluating his country's relations with Israel, compared the current situation with the iceberg and said, "What is known to the public is the visible side of our relations and is only a tenth of it; nine out of ten are under water." It is not difficult to find answers to the questions of what this hidden part in bilateral relations is and why it is not revealed. Because Azerbaijan, a Muslim country, does not want to be condemned by the Islamic world for its closeness with Israel [1].
It seems that Israel is more profitable from the Israeli-Azerbaijani relationship and it is highly likely that the seeds of trouble planted today will bear fruit tomorrow for Azerbaijan. The Jewish state — where some 50,000 to 70,000 former Azeri Jews now live — also continues to be one of the top suppliers of arms to Azerbaijan. It's no secret that Israel, by way of drones and artificial intelligence, is helping in the demining of the Karabakh region, where the Armenians planted an estimated 1 million mines before the 2020 war. Situated between Russia and Georgia to the north and Iran to the south, with Armenia to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east, Azerbaijan sits in a complex region with deeply-rooted history. It's home to 10 million people, including 8,000 to 20,000 Jews, making it one of the largest Jewish communities in the Muslim world. (Exact numbers for the Jewish community are difficult to pinpoint, as many Azeri Jews live abroad in Russia or Israel part-time) [5].
Unlike their counterparts in other diaspora communities, Jews in this secular and oil-rich country have never faced hostility or persecution. Today, they continue to live without any fear of anti-Semitism or threats to their safety. This is evidenced by the complete lack of security measures in synagogues, day schools and other community institutions. Local Jewish leaders insist there is no need for such protection in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
REFERENCES
1. Azerbaycan'da israil Algisi ve Etkisi https://www.insamer.com/tr/azerbaycanda-israil-algisi-ve-etkisi 713.html
2. Avinoam Idan and Brenda Shaffer, Israel's role in the Second Armenia-Azerbaijan War https://www.fdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Karabakh-Gambit IsraelRole-1.pdf
3. Burada yahudi azan sasindan qa9mir - "Qirmizi Qasaba - Sinaqoqdan xa^ayadak..." https://din.az/burada-yehudi-azan-sesinden-qacmir-qirmizi-qesebe-sinanqoqdan-xalcayadek/)
4. For Israel's ambassador to Azerbaijan, Iranian death threats are all in a day's work https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-israels-ambassador-to-azerbaijan-iranian-death-threats-are-all-in-a-days-work/
5. Israel and the Middle East Studies Center https://adu.edu.az/en/bim/Centers/IsraelandtheMiddleEastStudiesCenter/
6. K. Feferman. Nazi Germany and the Mountain Jews (Holocaust and Genocide Studies № 21) 2007.
7. Why are relations between Azerbaijan and Israel developing now? https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221201-why-are-relations-between-azerbaijan-and-israel-developing-now/
8. Tpnp mm 'Tin'n mwn https://www.ybz.org.il/_Uploads/dbsAttachedFiles/Article_81.6(1).pdf
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