President Shimon Peres on Sunday leaves for what is being called “historic visits” to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The President’s Residence has however placed a media blackout on the visits, which are being reported in the local media of both countries.
According to a Jerusalem Post report, some of the elders of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan are protesting the visit.

“We are against the visit of the leader of the criminal Zionist regime and we express our protest against the invitation, sent to him. We demand categorically that the Azeri leadership cancel this visit,” says a statement, released by the Nardaran believers.

The president is going to be accompanied by a large delegation including Minister of Industry & Trade Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, National Infrastructure Minister Dr. Uzi Landau, Science Minister Rabbi Dr. Daniel Hershkowitz and Defense Ministry Director-General Pinchas Buchris, sending a clear sign that the visits are intended to advance agreements between Israel and the Islamic nations, and not just  diplomatic event.

The president will of course also meet with Jewish community leaders in both countries and attend a ceremony to inaugurate a new shul.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)