Editor's note: Statement by Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Diaspora added after the second paragraph
Azerbaijan, Baku, May 7 / Trend M.Aliyev /
A memorial stone was placed in a park in Hadera, Israel, which will soon be named after late Azerbaijani President and national leader Heydar Aliyev. The solemn ceremoney was held as part of a conference on regional conflicts May 6. Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with the Diaspora Chairman Nazim Ibrahimov, Our Home Israel Party Secretary General, MK Faina Kirschenbaum and Hadera Mayor Haim Avitan were in attendance. Representatives of Azerbaijani communities from all over Israel also arrived to Hedera to attend the event.
Those addressing the ceremony mentioned the proximity of the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples and added that the ceremony is being held to acknowledge Aliyev's efforts to ensure tolerance and friendship between Jews and Azerbaijanis, news editor an Israeli media outlet Alexander Goldenshteyn told Trend in a telephone conversation after the ceremony.
Aliyev will remain known in world history as a just and humane head of state, Avinat said at the ceremony, the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Diaspora reported.
"Aliyev did not make a distinction between the different peoples living in Azerbaijan. As a result, Azerbaijan is known as a tolerant country worldwide," he said.
Avitan said a music school will be opened next to the Heydar Aliyev Park.
Avitan also expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for continuing Aliyev's policy and noted that friendly relations between the parties will develop in the future.
Speaking at the event, Ibrahimov expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Azerbaijani government to Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Ibrahimov noted Aliyev's invaluable contribution to strengthening tolerance in Azerbaijan. As a result of his attention and care, the cultural heritage of the Jewish community was saved.
Ibrahimov said seven Jewish religious communities were registered in Azerbaijan. The country created plaques on homes in which famous Jews such as Lev Landau, Solomon Guzman, and Albert Agarunov lived.
"The two synagogues returned to Jews upon Aliyev's initiative in1996," he said, adding that there are three synagogues in Baku and one in Oguz and Guba.
"The synagogue that opened in 2003 in Baku was the largest in Europe," he said.
Ibrahimov noted that Jewish cultural centers, religious communities and schools operate in the country. A Jewish secondary school was opened in Azerbaijan in 2003.
Kirschenbaum said the improving Azerbaijani-Israeli relations are an example the world.
"Perpetuating the memory of Aliyev in Hedera will unite us even more. We are proud to perpetuate the memory of such historical figures as Aliyev," she said.
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