Khojaly victims commemorated in Israel
Tel Aviv, February 26 (AZERTAC). The exhibition dedicated to the worst human tragedy of the late 20th century, Khojaly massacre, was organized by the Israel-Azerbaijan International Association at Tel Aviv University. The exhibition features photos by various authors depicting a scene of the genocide in the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly, which was completely destroyed in the night of 25th to 26th February, 1992.
The Khojaly Massacre was the killing of hundreds of ethnic Azerbaijani civilians from the town of Khojaly on 25-26 February 1992 by the Armenian and, partially, by CIS armed forces during the Nagorno-Karabakh War. According to the Azerbaijani side, as well as Memorial Human Rights Center, Human Rights Watch and other international observers, the massacre was committed by the ethnic Armenian armed forces, reportedly with help of the Russian 366th Motor Rifle Regiment, apparently not acting on orders from the command. The death toll provided by Azerbaijani authorities is 613 civilians, including 106 women and 83 children. The event became the largest massacre in the course of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Khojaly Massacre was described by Human Rights Watch as "the largest massacre to date in the conflict" over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Some 1,275 people, including old men, women and children were taken captive. Those who escaped at that cold February night were forced to go on foot to Agdam region. Many of them were shot on the way. Many of those who did not survive on the road, remained at the cemetery, which was called a "humanitarian corridor", and only a small part of the Khojaly residents managed to escape and join Azerbaijani refugees.
The exhibition was dedicated to the 21st anniversary of the tragedy in Khojaly and conducted by association "AZIZ" with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation within the framework of "Justice for Khojaly" initiative.
The official part of the evening started with a prayer for the innocent victims of Khojaly.
In her address Minister of Immigrant Absorption of Israel Sofa Landver expressed her condolences to the evening participants.
The Azerbaijani MP Fuad Muradov thanked the Azerbaijani community of Israel and the International Association "Israel-Azerbaijan" for successful activity in the promotion of truthful information about Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Then Azerbaijani MP announced the premiere of the documentary film "The Endless Corridor", filmed by the Lithuanian journalist who has witnessed the events.
President of the International Association "Israel-Azerbaijan” Alex Miller said that the world community must know the truth about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and one million Azerbaijani refugees who are waiting for the day when they can return to their homes.
The event was attended by Israeli and Azerbaijani officials, members of the municipal councils of Israel, representatives of the diplomatic corps of Israel, representatives of the Israeli and foreign press, heads of NGOs, students, representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Israel.
Summing up the event, director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center of the International Association "Israel-Azerbaijan" Egyana Salman thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, "Justice for Khojaly" organization and Israeli branch of the Caspian Drilling Company Ltd for their help in organizing the event.
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