Israeli Scientists Call on Government to Halt Arms Sales to Azerbaijan

A group of Israeli scientists has sent an open letter regarding military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), urging the Israeli government to immediately halt arms sales to Azerbaijan until these issues are discussed by the government and the Knesset.

"The undersigned express their personal views as scholars from various institutions of higher education engaged in the research of the Caucasus and neighboring peoples, and do not reflect the position of the Hebrew University or its Armenian Studies Department. We, the undersigned, write to express our deep concern regarding the outbreak of fighting in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh). Analyzing reports published in independent media, we conclude that the recent outbreak of violence over the past few days is exclusively caused by the aggression of the Republic of Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey and involving fighters brought in from other regions.

This belligerence is directed against the military and civilian targets of the Republic of Artsakh and predominantly the Armenian population, and is unequivocally deserving of condemnation. The response of the Republic of Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia is undoubtedly defensive, aimed at protecting the population, property, and territory, and it should enjoy the support of those who uphold the principle of self-determination for peoples.

We call for an end to this aggression and a cessation of military operations. The long-term answer to the tensions in the region will be ongoing negotiations aimed at providing legal solutions to the demands of various ethnic groups and leading to mutual agreement on political issues. It is clear that no violence will resolve ethnic or any other tensions.

We express our grave concern regarding Israel's arms sales to Azerbaijan in recent years, as these weapons constitute a significant part of that country’s military arsenal. We urge the Israeli government to immediately halt arms sales to Azerbaijan until this issue is discussed by the government and the Knesset. Realpolitik future interests from arms sales, as reflected here, cannot be the sole factor in foreign policy. Naturally, the question arises regarding Israel’s role in the ongoing arming processes directed primarily against a people that, like the Jewish people, suffered genocidal attacks in the 20th century.

We call on Israelis to raise their voices on this important issue," the statement reads.

The statement was signed by Professors Ruben Amitai, Yair Auron, Israel Charny, Moran Deitch, Benjamin Kedar, Yoav Loeff, Benny Morris, Dr. Yakir Paz, Eli Richter, Donna Shalev, Mark Sherman, Michael Stone, Dr. Yana Chekhanovets, and Dror Ze'evi.