Trend News Middle East Desk Commentator Ulviyya Sadikhova

Israeli President Shimon Peres's first historical visit to Azerbaijan shows the possibility of a dialogue between the Islamic and Jewish world, while preserving the interests of both parties.
 
History shows that over the centuries, the Jewish community lived in Azerbaijan as in their homeland, which was a wonderful cultural exchange between the religious values of Azerbaijanis and Jews.

However, Peres's visit will contribute not only to strengthen cultural relations, but rather preserve political cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan in the Caucasus with the support of Turkey.

Partnership with the closest ally of Turkey - Azerbaijan meets the country's oil and gas interests. The Israeli government has repeatedly stated its desire to buy the Azerbaijani gas and it is not excluded that in future a possibility will arouse for an oil pipeline project from the Caspian region to Israel via Turkey. 

Moreover, the CIS region is important for Israel, regarding that the country's population is dominated by immigrants from the former Soviet Union, which was testified with Russian-speaking politician Avigdor Lieberman's appointment as Foreign Minister. Before joining politics in Israel, Lieberman, as a parliamentarian of the Knesset visited Azerbaijan, and it was a breakthrough in relations between the two countries, respectively, with other countries in the post-Soviet area.

Baku is also interested in deepening cooperation with Israel, regarding the economic and strategic interests in the Caucasus, where Azerbaijan leads.

Do not forget that Egypt is the main mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and it had never faced the grievances of the Muslim world over a 30-year diplomatic relations with Israel.
 
Monarchical Jordan, where 40 percent of Palestinian refugees live, also established diplomatic ties with Israel immediately after the announcement of the Palestinian autonomy in 1994.

Despite criticism from Muslim religious communities, steps of Egypt and Jordan helped in establishing the foundations of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Relations with Azerbaijan show that the Muslim world can find a common language with Israel, while preserving its principles and interests.

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