Lev Spivak: International recognition of Khojaly is a long and difficult path, but preserving this memory is our duty

The international legal and political recognition of the Khojaly genocide continues to face serious challenges. This was stated in a comment to The Daily Baku by Israeli political analyst Lev Spivak, the third president of the Israel Azerbaijan International Association AzIz.

According to him, the events that took place within the framework of the Azerbaijan Armenia conflict are still presented in a contradictory manner in international media and political circles, and double standards persist, particularly in Europe.

“The recognition of the Khojaly genocide at the level of leading international organizations is a highly complex process. Overcoming this resistance may take years, or even decades,” Lev Spivak noted.

At the same time, the political analyst emphasized that these difficulties cannot serve as a reason to remain silent.

“Our main task is to ensure that this pain is not forgotten. Because only memory can become a guarantee that such tragedies will not be repeated in the future,” he said.

Lev Spivak pointed out that commemorative events dedicated to the victims of Khojaly are held annually in Israel. These events are organized in various cities and in different formats so that not only the Azerbaijani community, but also Israelis who previously knew nothing about Khojaly, can become acquainted with this truth.

“These events are attended by ministers, members of the Knesset, Azerbaijani and Israeli politicians, members of the Milli Majlis, city mayors and their deputies,” he added.

According to him, the commemorative programs are not limited to official ceremonies.

“We organize academic conferences, photo exhibitions, and charity concerts featuring Azerbaijani classical music. Documentary films are screened and the truth about Khojaly is presented to Israeli audiences,” Lev Spivak said.

The political analyst gave special emphasis to the “Khojaly 613” memorial forest. According to him, this green area, planted in the President’s Forest in Israel, is dedicated to each of the 613 civilians killed in Khojaly and carries profound symbolic meaning as a living monument.

“This forest was planted in an area named after Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, and has become an important symbol of our shared memory,” he noted.

Lev Spivak also said that another event dedicated to the Khojaly tragedy was recently held at the National Library of Israel. The initiator of the event was Egana Salman, Director of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center.

“As part of the program, literature thoroughly covering the Khojaly tragedy was presented to the library, and people from various cities across the country attended the event,” the political analyst stressed.

According to him, Israelis often ask: “Why do you insist on talking about this?”

“We respond: look around you. Such tragedies are still taking place in different parts of the world today. It is possible that in the neighboring building there lives a person for whom Khojaly is not just history, but a personal tragedy,” Lev Spivak said.

The political analyst also recalled a well known photograph frequently displayed at exhibitions.

“In that photo there is a young fighter in shock, stretching his hands forward. That person now lives in Israel, in the city of Netanya. He attends our events and says: ‘I am here, I am an Israeli citizen, and this is my pain.’ When people see living witnesses, their perception of Khojaly changes fundamentally,” he noted.

In conclusion, Lev Spivak emphasized that such initiatives aimed at conveying the truth about Khojaly to the world must continue on a global scale.

“This is important not only for Azerbaijan, but for the memory of all humanity,” he concluded.