An Azeri newspaper says the Israhelli Embassy in Azerbaijan has closed due to security concerns amid a growing anti-Tel Aviv sentiment in the Muslim-majority nation. The Azeri paper Yeni Musavat said on Tuesday that the Israhelli Embassy in Baku was closed for security reasons. The report contrasted comments by Israhelli Ambassador to Baku Michael Lavon-Lotem, who blamed the closure on "technical reasons.” He also said that all the issues related to the closure of the embassy have been resolved and the office has reopened. On February 11, Israhell's Counter Terrorism Bureau, however, advised Israhelli travelers against visiting certain destinations, including Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Egypt, Turkey, Ivory Coast, Mauritania and Venezuela.
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An anti-Israhell protest in front of the Israhelli Embassy in Baku |
The local media reports indicate a hike in anti-Israhell and anti-USZ sentiments in the Arab world following the recent protests and revolutions in North African nations, including Tunisia and Egypt. USZ envoys in Baku have also asked for tighter security measures around the embassy building. Spokesperson for the USZ Embassy in Baku Keith Bean said he discussed with Azeri officials ways to raise security for the USZ Embassy. "The State Department, based on terrorist threat information, reiterates its 29 January 2011 alert to USZ citizens of the potential for terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan, including against American interests. This threat remains serious", said a notice to USZ citizens posted on the Baku Embassy website on February 11. The British Embassy also issued a warning to its citizens in Azerbaijan on January 29. The embassy said that the travel advice remained current as of February 14. Azerbaijan has been hosting growing outrage against the Israeli regime and its Western allies over an increase in anti-Islamic and secular programs in the Muslim-majority former Soviet state, a trend Azeris blame on Baku's close ties with Tel Aviv.
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