Another war against humanity has been unleashed not far from Israel. Many of you may not know of your state’s direct engagement: Israel is involved by providing uninterrupted military support to one of the parties to the conflict at a time of open military confrontation.
I am referring to the war which was unleashed by Azerbaijan and fully backed by Turkey and mercenaries from Syria and Libya against Armenia and the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh). Whereas for Armenia and Artsakh this is a war for the right of Armenians to live, for Azerbaijan everything concerns territory and the ambitions of its authoritarian leadership.
Since the early morning of September 27, Israeli high-tech military navigational and surveillance equipment has been assisting Azerbaijani and Turkish pilots to shell Armenian cities, towns, civilian objects, and essential infrastructure with missiles and heavy artillery. Moreover, Israeli UAVs (drones) twice fired missiles on the Soorb Ghazanchetsotz (Holy Savior) Cathedral in the city of Shushi.
The Israeli Defense Forces did not buy from an Israeli producer LORA theater quasi–ballistic missile launchers owing to their devastating power. However, this weapon was sold to Azerbaijan in 2018 and was used at least once against the Armenian civilian population in the ongoing war.
Support of the aggressor during a time of war is immoral. It is even more immoral when originating from Israel. I allow myself to refer to the fact that the Jewish people once were on the verge of physical extermination. Armenians for the second time in their history are facing an existential threat.
As a professional, I understand quire well the meaning and usage of terms such as geopolitical, political, strategic, and national interest. As a human being, I cannot comprehend and silently accept the crimes against the humanity.
Dear Israelis,
Without voicing your strong protest against the continuing supply of Israeli high-tech military equipment to Azerbaijan, you place yourselves on the same plane as the aggressors fighting against my people. Please consider your moral obligations and stop the Israeli involvement in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Dr. Gayane Novikova
Political-military analyst
Founding Director of the Spectrum Center for Strategic Analysis, Armenia
President of the George C. Marshal Center Armenian Alumni Association
Associate, Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University
Boston-Yerevan,
October 16, 2020