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Israel's Attack Raises Eyebrows In Azerbaijan

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  • Israel's Attack Raises Eyebrows In Azerbaijan

    ISRAEL'S ATTACK RAISES EYEBROWS IN AZERBAIJAN

    http://www.azernews.az/site/shownews.p 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.
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