Knesset asks Azerbaijan to assist in releasing captured soldiers

The Israeli parliament asked Azerbaijan to exert influence on Hizbollah to release kidnapped Israeli soldiers, Israeli Embassy press and public affairs office told the APA.

"On August 14th, the Knesset was visited by the families of the three captured Israeli soldiers. The three missing soldiers are being held incommunicado – no information whatsoever has been given regarding their whereabouts, state of health, or their well-being. Hizbullah and Hamas have deliberately and cruelly denied any access to the kidnapped soldiers, or visits by international organizations, in complete and total disregard of fundamental norms of human rights and humanitarian law.

The heads of nine Israeli political factions, representing almost the entire membership of the Israeli Knesset, met with the families of the victims and heard their heartbreaking. After that, an overwhelming majority of Knesset Members – 110 out of 120 – are united in a humanitarian appeal communicated to you through this letter.

Mr. Speaker, we, the undersigned, appeal to you to exert whatever influence you have to prevail on those who kidnapped and are holding the soldiers in captivity to act upon this appeal: first and foremost to receive some sign of life from the kidnapped soldiers, to respect their lives and dignity, to allow them adequate medical and humane treatment according to international humanitarian norms and standards, as well as visits by representatives of the competent international organizations and above all to make every effort to ensure their immediate and unconditional release," the appeal reads.

This appeal was presented on Friday to parliament speaker Ogtay Asadov and chairman of the Azerbaijan-Israel Interparliamentary Friendship Group Yevda Abramov.

Israeli Knesset said this appeal to Azerbaijan shows there exist reliable and good relations between Israel and Azerbaijan.