Israeli ambassador: Jews feel safer in Baku than in Paris

The Jewish community in Azerbaijan feels safer than their counterparts in European capitals, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan George Deek told journalists during his final briefing before completing his diplomatic mission, according to Report.

"I was pleasantly surprised to see how safe Jews feel in Baku— even more than on the streets of Beirut and Paris. In 2019, when I first met President Ilham Aliyev, he said he was proud that a Jew could walk the streets of Baku more safely than in Paris. He was right then, and even more so today," the ambassador emphasized.

Deek particularly noted that Azerbaijan continues to uphold traditions of good neighborliness and interethnic harmony within the country, despite a complex regional environment.

"Azerbaijan reminds me of Israel’s situation: living in a very difficult region with neighbors that have not been easy to coexist with. You have managed to build a prosperous country that mediates between Middle Eastern states, supplies energy to Europe, and serves as a strategic partner of NATO," Deek stated.

He stressed that although Azerbaijan is surrounded by unfriendly neighbors, this does not prevent the country from confidently moving along the path of progress and development.

In conclusion, the ambassador praised Azerbaijani cuisine and shared his plans to return to Azerbaijan with his family as a tourist.