The Israeli Embassy in Tbilisi said there is a need for a “clear stance against terror and violence” amid reports that a member of the Georgian government took part in mourning events at the Iranian diplomatic mission, News-Georgia reports.

“True friendship between nations is measured by the ability to distinguish those who choose the path of life, stability and cooperation from those who continue to cultivate terror, extremism and violence. It is true that neighbors are not chosen, but friends are. And a friendship of 2,600 years, such as that between the Georgian and Jewish peoples, based on mutual respect and shared values, must be demonstrated today as well, especially in difficult times,” the statement by the Israeli embassy published on Facebook said.

Earlier today, Iran’s ambassador to Georgia, Seyed Ali Mojani, reported that a member of the Georgian government left a message in the condolence book over the deaths of Ali Khamenei and other citizens of the Islamic Republic. He did not name the author. “A friend in need is a friend indeed,” the ambassador added, thanking the official.

Later, Georgia’s Foreign Ministry said that the visit to the embassy was made by a deputy foreign minister, and that the message he left repeated the government’s earlier statement.

On March 2, the Georgian government expressed condolences to both Iran and Israel and also confirmed solidarity with the countries of the Persian Gulf. The statement emphasized hope for the swift restoration of peace through diplomacy and political dialogue.

This is the only official statement from Tbilisi during the week since the start of the US and Israeli military operation in Iran.