For several days, the world media has been circulating the news that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recognized the so-called “Armenian genocide.” It is reported that although Israel has not officially made any decision as a state, Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement to the media that he recognized this “genocide.” Thus, he went down in history as the first head of state/government of Israel to hold such an opinion.
Commenting on the issue, political commentator Azer Hasret said that the Israeli Prime Minister, with whose state Azerbaijan pays great attention to bilateral relations, should not have made this mistake: “Israel is a close country for Azerbaijan. We value this closeness; when necessary, we take steps together with Israel, and we work jointly to serve mutual interests. Of course, at the same time, both states are free to take any action, but this doesn’t mean that the leaders of the Israeli state/government or individual officials can make statements contrary to our interests. Such an irresponsible approach regarding the baseless claim of the Armenian genocide cannot be considered acceptable for Azerbaijan.”
Azer Hasret further noted that “the Israeli Prime Minister may link his approach to the tension with brotherly Türkiye. However, the highest official of the Israeli state, which has close relations with Azerbaijan, should not forget that any step taken against Türkiye, any word spoken, is also against Azerbaijan. In this regard, states that value friendship with us, including Israel, should be careful in such matters. We highly value our relations with Israel and are interested in further developing them. However, if Israeli officials make such mistakes in relation to brotherly Türkiye, this will certainly not be well received in Azerbaijan. Such a situation can seriously damage Israel-Azerbaijani relations.”
The political commentator added that the Israeli prime minister needs to correct his mistake as soon as possible, including eliminating this misbehavior, which upsets Azerbaijan. If this mistake is not corrected, of course, the Azerbaijani public opinion may look for ways to call for a reconsideration of its relationship with Israel.
“A stone thrown at Türkiye was thrown at us. Every word spoken against Türkiye is considered spoken against us, Azerbaijan. Therefore, Benjamin Netanyahu should show his interest in preserving our relations by correcting his mistake as soon as possible,” Azer Hasret emphasized.
Note:This article was sent to The Washington Post. But unfortunately, they ignored it…
We used to read the Western media. As citizens of a new democracy like Azerbaijan, we strive to learn from the West many valuable principles, including media neutrality and accuracy. Because we were part of the totalitarian Russia – Soviet Union, where any freedom was prohibited, including media freedom, that’s why while gaining independence from the Russian Empire (USSR) in 1991, we needed to learn those values from experienced Western democracies.
I remember, in those days, we believed that the Western media couldn’t distort the facts. We were more than sure that the Western media was neutral and accurate. But after getting deeper into the issue, we saw that the Western media is lying, distorting, and making propaganda…
As is seen, the author is trying to compare today’s Gaza situation with the Karabakh of Azerbaijan, which ended about 5 years ago. And the conflicting parties – Armenia, which occupied Azerbaijani lands and kept them under control for about 30 years; Azerbaijan, which liberated its lands, are happy with the outcomes. So, on August 8, 2025, parties, represented by President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, signed a deal in Washington, witnessed by the US President Donald Trump. This means that the conflict is over, both sides are ready for mutual understanding, and from now on, there is no conflict between them.
But the author is distorting the facts from the start. He has added the photo of Aghdam city of Azerbaijan, destroyed totally, claiming that Azerbaijan had implemented ethnic cleansing against Armenians. One who is not familiar with the situation, seeing the photo, can think that the city belongs to Armenians and it is destroyed by Azerbaijan to force Armenians off. But the reality is very different. The city of Aghdam was occupied by Armenia in 1993, and its inhabitants – all Azerbaijanis were forced off.
While Armenia had occupied about 77 percent of Aghdam, the district’s inhabitants of about 130 thousand had to flee the region. Some 6 thousand Azerbaijanis were killed by Armenians as well.
…The author is claiming that 150 thousand Armenians were ethnically cleansed in 2023. We’re surprised! Because Armenian propaganda continuously claimed that 120 thousand Armenians were living in Karabakh. So, the question is: where did the author get the number of 150 thousand?
For those who are not familiar with the situation in the field, I’d like to clarify the facts.
There were about 50 thousand Armenians living in Karabakh. But the government of Armenia, alongside the separatists and terrorists, claimed that 120 thousand Armenians live there. While in September 2023 Armenians voluntarily left Karabakh, Armenia could record a move of about 100 thousand of them! And 25 thousand of those Armenians were repatriates from Russia, having Russian citizenship. They were brought to Karabakh by Russian peacekeepers to create artificial supremacy of the Armenian population of the region. Another 17 thousand were Armenia’s Army personnel to fight against Azerbaijan. They moved to Karabakh with the help of Russian peacekeepers. So, Azerbaijan, to achieve peace, let them leave and did not stop even those illegal military personnel. Among those who left Karabakh were Armenians from Syria, Lebanon, and other countries as well. All of them were happy to leave the Azerbaijani lands in peace and security.
Then, during those days, Azerbaijan suggested to all Armenians of Karabakh, who had the proof that they were born and lived in Azerbaijan before the conflict, to stay and get Azerbaijani citizenship, live in peace as other people of the country. But only several Armenians decided to stay…
So, while compiling a column, The Washington Post writer had to look into facts, respect his readers, and give accurate information. But unfortunately, he failed to act in a way that is in line with media ethics.
BTW, the writer is quoting Aram Hamparian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee of America, who is one-sidedly distorting the facts as well. As an experienced journalist, I know that while quoting one side, you must quote the opposite side as well. This is a requirement of media ethics. I believe that any journalist working in an esteemed media outlet like The Washington Post must know this rule. Even if he/she does not know this rule, the editors of the media must correct him or deny the publication. As we see, The Washington Post has closed its eyes to this distortion. Thus, the media outlet itself shares the responsibility for the distortion and disrespect to its readers.
While ending my compilation, I’d call on The Washington Post to publish my thoughts and show that they really serve the interests of the readers and remain neutral, accurate. My writing can be considered an open letter to those who misuse the media for ugly propaganda as well.
P.S. While Armenia started to occupy Azerbaijani lands, including Karabakh, in the early 1990s, there were about 750 thousand Azerbaijanis and 120 thousand Armenians living there. But Armenia ethnically cleansed those 750 thousand Azerbaijanis, and journalists like Ishaan Tharoor prefer to keep silent about this…
Recently, on the day of 26th February, 2019 US Congress` Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20) raised an issue of Khojaly Massacre, perpetrated by Armenian occupant army regiments together with Russian Army`s 366th motorized unit 27 years ago. As the recent history witnesses, during this occupation and massacre operation 613 men, women, children and other innocent people of Azerbaijani nationality were brutally killed by occupant army units.
27 years has passed since Khojaly Massacre and the people of Azerbaijan always ask international community for justice and help to bring to the responsibility desk those who ordered and who implemented this act of genocide. But unfortunately many organizations and forceful actors – world leaders were not even fair towards this act of genocide.
As Azerbaijan is new democracy and looking towards new practices and challenges through the leading democracies, the people of country always are attentive to the world leader country – the United States. Even this country usually is behind democratization and bringing new values throughout the world, sometimes some voices from Washington are not fairly approaching events like Khojaly Massacre of 26th February 1992. That’s why while Hon. Alcee L. Hastings acted with statement in the House of Representatives calling “to recognize the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly Massacre” we, the people of Azerbaijan were happy to hear this. That was fair approach and an act of justice initiative.
Rising the issue, Mr. Hastings once more approved his country`s role as a major actor on the globe to bring peace and justice to humanity. We always wish to see the US like this. We believe in the mighty of the United States and we believe that this country having all opportunities can be fair mediator to solve any kind of conflicts even thousands of miles away.
While Mr. Hastings acted with the statement towards Khojaly Massacre, our belief that the perpetrators will be brought to justice were renowned again. Indeed, we want and wish to rely on US`s justice and fair approach.
We, the people of Azerbaijan and likewise countries are always alongside with those forces which are powerful and fair. And which really is in line with international rules to defend those who face injustice. In this regard Mr. Hastings` act in the House is a sign of will, which can rehabilitate belief of people of Azerbaijan. Because we were losing our belief as the US actors sometimes were ignorant towards Azerbaijani peoples` pains.
Using this opportunity we would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Hastings and call to other US Congress members to act likewise in order to help with justice to prevail. The US were and remain Azerbaijan`s ally on the globe. And Azerbaijan is the country which is trusty to its principles in combating any kind of unfair approach towards humanity. In this struggle Azerbaijan was and remain as a main ally of the United States in the region of South Caucasus and alongside geography.
In order to solve the problem of occupation of lands by neighboring Armenia Azerbaijani people look towards US`s fair approach to act more quickly and more effective. As some 1 million people of Azerbaijan are still suffering the pains of war and occupation by Armenia we look towards fair voices throughout the world. Mr. Hastings is one of the rising fair voices in this regard which surely will rehabilitate belief on the US.
Yes, Azerbaijan was very quick to respond to the US calls “in the days after September 11, 2001” to overcome the world terrorism. And Azerbaijan remains as a trusty ally in this regard. But waiting the same approach from the US side in combating occupation and inhuman approach by the aggressive neighbor – Armenia as well. In this regard Mr. Hastings voice in the US Congress was due for the hope of Azerbaijani people. And people of Azerbaijan have the right to wait more and effective efforts from the US to end with injustice in our region and bring a piece to the region of South Caucasus.
P.S. While compiling very this piece of mine I just saw an initiative by the Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. on “Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting visits and communication between the United States and the Republic of Artsakh at all levels of civil society and government”. One can be shocked while seeing this, as the US does not recognize any country under the name of “Artsakh” (Nagorno Karabakh). But political actors like Pallone always were obstacle while the US tries to act in a fair manner. Anyway we believe on US fair approach as there are politicians like Mr. Hastings who really want to contribute to peace building in our region.
