For many years, we have defended Jews in what are now the 15 independent states of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
Today, we’re as concerned about intolerance and extremism as we’ve ever been. As happens so often in times of turmoil, Jews are becoming the scapegoats for economic, social and political instability, as well as the conflicts in the Middle East.
Anti-Semitic incidents are increasing alarmingly, not only in Eastern Europe but also in France, Germany, Belgium and even the Scandinavian countries.
From the fatal shootings at the Jewish Museum in Belgium to the fire-bombing of a synagogue in Germany, recent headlines recall the horrors of the past.
There has long been broad bipartisan support in Congress for the State of Israel. That same spirit should be applied to Israel’s close allies, especially in light of all the challenges that Israel currently faces.
In one former Soviet Republic, in South Eastern Europe, on the Caspian Sea, there is a remarkable exception to the rising tide of anti-Semitism – the secular, moderate, Muslim-majority nation of Azerbaijan.
With a new Congress taking shape, now is the time for Congress’ many friends of Israel to learn more about Azerbaijan, where the Jewish community recently celebrated the High Holy Days in peace and with official greetings from President Ilham Aliyev. Once they do, they will see that Azerbaijan is an example for other countries to follow with respect to supporting Israel.
Having lived in Azerbaijan for 2,500 years without persecution and numbering some 35,000, the country’s Jewish community enjoys full dignity, respect and religious freedom. As the Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Rafi Harpaz, said at a meeting in New York City on September 22, unlike in European countries, there is no anti-Semitism in Azerbaijan.
Praising Azerbaijan’s tolerance in the midst of turbulence, Harpaz declared, “Azerbaijan can be a model for other countries in terms of attitudes towards Jews.” In fact, Harpaz is the sixth Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan, which has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel for 22 years.
Azerbaijan’s tradition of peaceful coexistence among Muslims, Christians and Jews, as well as its role as a bridge-builder between East and West, exemplify its unique and essential role on the international stage.
A rarity among nations with Muslim majorities, Azerbaijan maintains strong diplomatic, economic and military ties with Israel. In an example of their close relationship, Azerbaijan and Israel plan to implement visa-free travel for those with diplomatic passports traveling between the two countries.
Azerbaijani-Israeli links extend beyond diplomacy to economics and security. Azerbaijan supplies 40 percent of Israel’s oil needs through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. Israel is Azerbaijan’s third largest trading partner, with commerce between the two countries totaling $4 billion.
On the security front, Azerbaijan is acquiring 12 Coast Guard vessels from Israel, adding to the $1.6 billion in high-tech weapons it has purchased from Israel since 2012.
The new Congress should do all it can to support allies that are deepening their security, economic, and diplomatic relations with the State of Israel. A strong congressional statement in support of Azerbaijan’s strategic energy role — which helps both Israel and Europe — would show Azerbaijan much-needed US support in the face of regional pressures from the likes of neighboring Iran.
As a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, including 56 Muslim countries around the world, as well as European multilateral institutions, such as the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Azerbaijan serves as a crucial link between East and West.
As the crisis in the Ukraine underscores, Europe needs an alternative to Russian natural gas. That’s just what Azerbaijan is preparing to provide through the Southern Gas Corridor, which will transport 16 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. The groundbreaking for the project took place on Sept. 30.
Azerbaijan has participated in NATO exercises and the Partnership for Peace program, and Azerbaijani troops served alongside U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan is also a critical transit point for almost 40 percent of the international coalition’s supplies for troops in Afghanistan.
On the economic front, bilateral trade between the US and Azerbaijan currently totals $2.3 billion. Azerbaijan recently contracted to buy eight civilian airplanes from Boeing, supporting more than 11,000 American jobs.
In this era of instability, Israel and America need reliable friends. In Azerbaijan, they are fortunate to have a friend with a strategic setting, rich energy resources, a tradition of tolerance and a Western orientation. There are many friends of Israel on Capitol Hill, and they should become friends of Azerbaijan, too.
Stephen M. Greenberg is the chairman, and Mark Levin the executive director, of the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry.
By Stephen M. Greenberg, Mark Levin
12.11.2014
http://www.rollcall.com/news/muslim_azerbaijan_bucking_the_anti_semitic_trend_in_europe_commentary-237831-1.html