There is a saying in the Jewish religion, and possibly with all other civilized societies, that is GRATITUDE-hakarat ha’vtov. It is a fundamental failure not to have gratitude.
In 1991, when Azerbaijan declared its independence, Israel was among the first countries to recognize the new sovereign state. Since then, the two countries have been growing together in almost parallel universes.
Both countries, Israel and Azerbaijan, are situated in difficult neighborhoods. It takes smart diplomacy and political maneuverability to stay on top and move forward.
Today, at the Sinai Temple, in Los Angeles, California, the two countries, the Jewish state and the Moslem state celebrated 25 years of the special relationship. All three anthems, the American, the Azerbaijani and the Israeli were sung in their original languages.
Both countries’ dogma is tolerance. But Azerbaijan, a Moslem country, is a model of tolerance where anti-Semitism, that so much prevails in most Moslem societies, is an unknown term.
Israel and Azerbaijan are proof that different cultures are not an obstacle to good relations; they are not divisive but uniting, they do not create enmity, rather much respect.
Let this ‘abnormal but open’ relationship between a Moslem country and a Jewish country become the exemplary norm for all other Moslem countries to follow.
To sum it up with the Hebrew words Mr. Nasimi Aghayev, Azerbaijan consul general used: Kol Hakavod, meaning, encouragement and praise.
Here is the story in photos:
