Knesset deputies supported activists of South Azerbaijan

Baku/30.04.23/Turan: According to Radio Liberty, a group of Israeli Knesset deputies has requested the Israeli Foreign Ministry to provide international support to the South Azerbaijan independence movement, a region in northern Iran.

The movement for autonomy from Tehran emerged in late 2022 amid protests against the Ayatollahs' regime.

The deputies stressed that the regime implements a policy of cultural genocide, restricting the rights of the Azerbaijani minority, which is the largest ethnic group in Iran with more than 20 million people.

The letter was signed by 32 deputies, a quarter of all Knesset members, including representatives of ultra-religious factions and opponents of the religious bloc.

The Knesset deputies believe that the separatist movement of South Azerbaijan, with international support, will deal a serious blow to Tehran and will become one of Israel's allies in the region.

 Israel and Azerbaijan have been developing cooperation for more than 30 years, and Azerbaijani oil accounts for about 40% of Israel's total oil imports.

Tehran accuses the Israeli intelligence services of supporting anti-government sentiment in Southern Azerbaijan and Tabriz.