Meet Israel's Best Friends in the Muslim World | Opinion
Map credit: Britannica
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are multi-cultural societies with a historical Jewish presence but little history of antisemitism. Jewish Silk Road traders settled in Kazakhstan in the 15 th century. In Azerbaijan, outside of the capital of Baku, archeologists have found evidence of a synagogue dating back to the 7 th century. Azerbaijan is home to Krasnaya Sloboda, the only remaining shtetl , or all-Jewish village, outside of Israel.
Azerbaijani-Jewish diaspora organizations have said that no country has been "as friendly and loyal" to their Jews as Azerbaijan, while Kazakhstan is "a country without antisemitism," according to former Israeli Ambassador Ran Ishay. The world "must learn from the example" of Kazakh-Jewish relations, said Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations.
The good relations go beyond tolerance to cultural appreciation. In Kazakhstan, pendants with the Hebrew word for life became a major fashion trend two years ago. In Azerbaijan, one of the country's most famous war heroes, Albert Agarunov—a Jew—has statues and streets named after him in the capital city of Baku. At his funeral service, a rabbi was joined by a mullah to pray for his soul.
Central Asia was a sanctuary for Ashkenazi Jews escaping the Holocaust, taking in an estimated 700,000 Jewish refugees (though there's no pretending life was easy for them). For Kazakhstan, the massive influx of foreigners couldn't have come at a worse time. Soviet collectivization policies had wiped out more than a third of the Kazakh population, yet all the same, the republic took in tens of thousands of weary Jews.
These beleaguered people who had grown up with pogroms and were escaping even worse Nazi persecution were surprised to be treated as human beings. Many Jews would later escape worse Soviet oppression in republics like Russia and Ukraine by moving to the Turkic republics.
After these nations declared independence following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Israel was one of the first nations with which they established full diplomatic relations. In doing so, they found a crucial partner in trade, agriculture and defense.
Despite pressure from the Muslim world since the outbreak of war, both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have not only maintained relations with Israel but increased them. Even after Iran called on Muslim countries to stop sending Israel oil, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan supplied the Jewish state with 60% of its needs. Baku has even increased its oil exports to Israel by 28%.
This year, Pro-Palestinian protestors vandalized the headquarters of Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar had its Istanbul headquarters by pro-Palestinian protestors. Undeterred, last month (Sept 26.),
Baku signed memorandums that will deepen defense ties between the two nations.
Many Kazakhstanis from diverse cultures grow up celebrating each other's holidays. Muslims often paint eggs for Easter and Christians attend post-Ramadan feasts. This tolerance has spread to Jews as well.
Modern Azerbaijan's support of Israel started with the country's forefather -- Heydar Aliyev. Aliyev saw the potential benefits of cooperation with the Jewish State. During his presidency, Israeli-Azerbaijani relations blossomed. According to former Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman, "no global leader amazed me as much as Aliyev."
Aliyev's support for the Jewish state was only surpassed by his support for the Jewish people. Under his rule, the Azerbaijani government returned Jewish buildings confiscated by Soviet authorities, restored synagogues and sponsored development in Krasnaya Sloboda.
Aliyev's son, Ilham Aliyev, the current Azerbaijani president, has kept up his father's pro-Israel policies. Since he took power in 2003, Azerbaijan and Israel have increased cooperation in the spheres of intelligence, defense, agriculture, infrastructure and energy.
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Both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are multi-cultural societies with a historical Jewish presence but little history of antisemitism. Jewish Silk Road traders settled in Kazakhstan in the 15 th century.
In Azerbaijan, outside of the capital of Baku, archeologists have found evidence of a synagogue dating back to the 7 th century. Azerbaijan is home to Krasnaya Sloboda, the only remaining shtetl , or all-Jewish village, outside of Israel.
Most unusual, especially for a Muslim state.
Actually I might modify that slightly and say:
Most unusual, especially for an Arab Muslim state.
There are more Muslim countries that many people realize--IIRC something like 55 in all! (Most are not Arabs-- I believethere are approximately 21 Arab countries).
It seems there's a pattern.. that several of the the non-Arab Muslim countries are not necessarily so anti-Semitic. (And a few are actually quite friendly to Israel-- UAE, Morocco. Kosovo come to mind...)
Although IMO while many are Muslims there, Morocco is not really an Arab country. The indigenous peoples who call themselves The "Amazigh" were there long before the Arab invasion and conquest. (Amaziqh is their real name, but westerners usually refer to them as "Berbers").
And no, they are not related to people of Seville!
Iran is an interesting case. Yes, they are predominently Muslim. But they are not Arabs-- they are Persians, a different gtoup than Arabs. ("Arab" = "inhabitant of Arabia" or their descendents) Modern day Iranians are descendents of the those people of the ancient Persian Empire.
Most Arab countries use to have a fair number of Jews-- but because of persecution (and pogroms)-- and emigration by those who could get out-- most Arab countries now have few Jews, if any.
But "Iran" is an exception. Their official policy (which if I'm not mistaken goes back to Cyrus The Great). Officially the Jews of Persia (now called "Iran") must not be discriminated against! As long as they "stay in their place" they can only be persecuted for pro-Israel comments.
Meanwhile, the current gov't of Iran can foment hatred of Israel, even support terror groups who attack it. But ironically. the Jews living in Iran are relatively safe (as long as they don't show any evidence that they are "pro-Israel).
From Wikipedia:
Cyrus II of Persia brought the Achaemenid dynasty to power to create what would soon become the largest polity in human history at the time.
Cyrus was particularly renowned among contemporary scholars because of his habitual policy of respecting peoples' customs and religions in the lands that he conquered
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus issued the Edict of Restoration, in which he authorized and encouraged the return of the Jewish people to what had been the Kingdom of Judah, officially ending the Babylonian captivity.
He is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and left a lasting legacy on Judaism due to his role in facilitating the return to
Thanks. You just caused my first laugh out loud of the morning. Love your spoonerisms, but many on this site don't appreciate your great sense of humour.
Most Arab countries FORCED the Jews to leave, forced to leave behind their homes, businesses, friends, but nobody talks about that. Interestingly, as long as Jews in Iran don't indicate any feelings of or support of Israel they are quite not persecuted there.
Berbers in Seville, wasn’t their an opera about that.
The good relations go beyond tolerance to cultural appreciation. In Kazakhstan, pendants with the Hebrew word for life became a major fashion trend two years ago. In Azerbaijan, one of the country's most famous war heroes, Albert Agarunov—a Jew—has statues and streets named after him in the capital city of Baku. At his funeral service, a rabbi was joined by a mullah to pray for his soul.
This year, Pro-Palestinian protestors vandalized the headquarters of Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar had its Istanbul headquarters by pro-Palestinian protestors. Undeterred, last month (Sept 26.), Baku signed memorandums that will deepen defense ties between the two nations.
An example of a pendant in the shape of the Hebrew letter "chai" (pronounced gutturally), and as a word is translated as "life". On drinking a toast, Jews say "L'chayim" which means "To life".
I have known Jewish people who wear that. Also I knew a Jewish woman whose name was "Chaja".
Baku signed memorandums that will deepen defense ties between the two nations.
Note: Baku, the capital of Azerbajan:
Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located 28 metres below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world and also the largest city in the world located below sea level.
With flooding increasing around the world that would make Baku a rather dangerous place to live, wouldn't it?
While other global leaders kept silent, Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was the first Central Asian leader to condemn the Oct. 7th massacre. On Oct. 13, he said that terrorist tactics were never justified.
Later that month, Kazakhstan demanded an unconditional release of all the hostages held by Hamas.
And in the past year, as conflict has raged in Gaza, Kazakhstan has only increased cooperation with Israel. In August, Astana and Jerusalem discussed deepening tourism and even visa-free travel for Kazakhstani citizens traveling to Israel.
With so few friends, Israel needs to do as much as it can to maintain them.
Very interesting article and it shows that Iran and its crazy mullahs will try to spread its hatred of Jews to any Muslim country that shows tolerance of Jews.
Albania has excellent relations with Israel that go back to WWII when Albania took in Jews to escape the Holocaust one that escaped through Albania was some what famous, Albert Eienstein.
Maybe not Arab or Muslim, but let's not forget Shanghai. Certainly the Chinese were a lot more welcoming than the American and Canadian governments. American = The Jews on board the SS St.Louis are not allowed to embark here. Canada = "None is too many".