Israeli deputy, supporting pro-Azerbaijani position, distances from the politics

Long before the publication of the list of the Our home Israel party Josef Shagal announced that he will not be included onto the list. "We have spoken with Avigdor Liberman and this was our joint decision", noted he.

"I knew long before that this term will be the last one for me. This is not my sphere. I have gained experience in the politics, learned many new things and managed to attain definite success, but it is now time to move forth", noted the parliamentarian.

Shagal said he intends to return to the sphere of activity he worked earlier - journalism. At the same time, he refused to comment on the rumors that he will be appointed at a position, equally related to diplomacy and mass media. "I have some definite plans", he said he.

Shagal, coming from Baku, was elected to parliament in April of 2006 and through the past two and a half years excelled in the development of relations between Israel and Azerbaijan. In April of 2007 he led the International Association Azerbaijan-Israel, aimed to strengthen political and economic ties, friendship and partnership between the two countries.

He paid a special attention to the opening of the diplomatic or at least trade representation of Aezrbaijan in Israel, but the powers of this country are still undetermined about it due to the concerns to spoil relations with the Muslim world. Moreover, the Russian parliamentarian was actively involved into the interstate contacts, aimed at conclusion of a contract about payment of pensions to the former citizens of Azerbaijan, residing in Israel.

Shagal had a direct relationship to development of several state visits of Azerbaijani officials to Israel and vise versa. In particular, this related to the visits of vice premier Avigdor Liberman and minister of national infrastructures Binyamin Ben-Eliezer in 2007 to Baku.

It was not without Shagal's participation that in 2006-2008 Azerbaijan took the first place among the Muslim states by the effectiveness of interstate and economic contacts with Israel.

In spring of 2008 this parliamentarian condemned the discussion of the problem of the so-called "Armenian genocide" in the Knesset. At the same time, he stressed possible deterioration of relations with Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Shagal has repeatedly stated importance of strengthening the strategic alliance Ankara-Jerusalem-Baku.

/IzRus/