Azerbaijan - Israel relations

Turkish-Israel relations worsened during the war, but since both took parts of Syria in December 2024, they seek deconfliction to avoid military clashes there.

The visit seeks to strengthen Israel’s regional position through mediation efforts with Turkey and by extending the Abraham Accords eastward.

As Azerbaijan’s regional influence grows, Iran sees a threat to its strategic axis from the Levant to the Caucasus.

This comes amid a recent increase in tensions between Israel and Turkey.

While it is understandable why Israel would want to strengthen its ties with Azerbaijan in the name of realpolitik, what is not clear is why they would want to do so at the expense of human rights.

Since we assume that Iran fears the independence of Southern Azerbaijan and given the strong ties between Northern Azerbaijan and Israel, why shouldn't Israel have ties with Southern Azerbaijan?

Despite regional complexities, the South Caucasus nation has positioned itself as one of Israel’s most significant partners. 

Following Netanyahu's statement in the Knesset and a letter of support from senior rabbis, Trump's envoy arrives in Baku to strengthen the trilateral alliance between the countries.

The rabbi explained that other countries would be able to "learn from Azerbaijan how to negotiate and be in a relationship with Israel."

"Azerbaijan is an important strategic ally of Israel in the Caucasus region, with relations encompassing cooperation in security, trade, technology, and energy sectors," said the PMO.

Tehran claims that expanding security cooperation between Baku, Jerusalem, and Washington poses a direct threat to its national security.