Azerbaijan-Israel: A Model of Mutual Trust

Friendships forged in turbulent times are often rooted in mutual respect and deep sympathy. In an era where multiculturalism often struggles to integrate diverse faith communities, one remarkable exception stands out: the enduring partnership between secular  Muslim-majority Azerbaijan and the Jewish state. Defying expectations, their alliance is built on mutual respect and shared interests.

This is also a friendship where Jews living in the only remaining shtetl can practise their religion and celebrate their Jewish customs alongside their Muslim neighbours in and around the Red Village. Azerbaijan views Israel as an important friend and ally, based on domestic policies that reflect in the country’s foreign policy. Despite bordering Iran and having a predominantly secular Shia Muslim-majority population, Baku prides itself on accepting the Jewish population and creating a thriving environment for all faith groups, who enjoy equal constitutional rights under the country’s secular tradition and legislation.

Today, the azan (call to prayer) rings out from loudspeakers in Baku, while Israeli tourists wander past historic churches, sipping local pomegranate wine. It is no secret that Israeli tourists flock to Azerbaijan in record numbers due to its safe and welcoming atmosphere, as well as affordable prices. As the Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan, George Deek, stated: over 80 per cent of the Azerbaijani public sees Israel as one of their most trusted partners. This fact was once again confirmed when Azerbaijan gave its highest points (24 in total), both from jury and televote, to the Israeli singer Yuval Raphael in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The warm relations between Azerbaijani and Israeli capitals stretch far beyond the Caucasus Mountains and the Negev. It is also in the interest of the American and European Jewish communities to include Azerbaijan in international political systems. Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yisrael Meir Lau, praised Azerbaijan for its humanitarian role during the Holocaust, highlighting that Baku provided refuge to 55,000 Jews fleeing Nazi persecution. He also underscored the enduring bond between the two nations, noting that Azerbaijan continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel while the Jewish state has proved to be one of the most reliable guarantors of Azerbaijan’s security.

Azerbaijan has made history as the first Muslim-majority country to host the Conference of European Rabbis (CER). The prestigious event, led by Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, will take place over three days at the end of October 2025. Given that more than 30,000 Jews live freely and peacefully in Azerbaijan, this development should come as no surprise.

One of the most important aspects of this strategic partnership is the reliability of both countries’ determination to maintain regional security. When Armenian forces invaded Azerbaijan in 1991, Israel was one of the first countries to send humanitarian aid and establish diplomatic relations with Baku. During those difficult years, Israel was also one of only two countries that supplied Azerbaijan with Stinger missiles. This laid the foundation for the current military cooperation, which remains pivotal in maintaining regional stability.

While the “Global West” refused to sell cutting-edge technology to Azerbaijan, which was rightfully defending its territorial integrity, it was Israel that became the largest arms exporter to Azerbaijan from 2016 to 2020. Israeli technology undeniably played a critical role in liberating the mountainous region of Karabakh, which had been under Armenian occupation from 1991 to 2023.

In terms of military technology, Azerbaijan particularly values importing Israeli drones such as IAI Harop, IAI Heron (Machatz-1), Elbit Hermes 450, and Hermes 900, all of which were deployed on a massive scale during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. This military cooperation strengthens the alliance between Azerbaijan and Israel. During the state visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, his counterpart, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, expressed gratitude for Israel’s arms support.

It is now a fact that Israel unequivocally stood with Azerbaijan in its fight against Armenian separatists, who committed mass atrocities in Khojaly and other towns in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan’s role in Israeli security constitutes a crucial part of this alliance. When the 7 October terrorist attacks shook the world, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) was the first in the Muslim world to condemn this act of brutality on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. As a nation that has experienced the scourge of Armenian aggression, Azerbaijan empathises deeply with the trauma endured by Israelis following the horrific 7 October attacks, which marked the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It is worth noting the role of ordinary Azerbaijanis, who laid flowers and stood silently outside the Israeli Embassy in Baku, paying tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks including eight Israeli civilians of Azerbaijani origin, such as the 23-year-old Eden Abdullayev. This solidarity with innocent Israelis intensified when Azerbaijan’s MFA also denounced the terrorist attack on two Israeli embassy staffers in the US capital.

While Israel has proven to be a guarantor of Azerbaijan’s security, Azerbaijan in turn has become a reliable pillar of Israel’s energy security. Over 60 per cent of Israeli oil imports are transported via the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. Israel’s procurement of a significant portion of its energy needs from Azerbaijan facilitated by Baku’s strategic partnership with their brotherly nation, Türkiye has significantly accelerated economic ties. This energy cooperation enhances mutual energy security, strengthens regional stability, and deepens their evolving strategic partnership.

Following the MV Mavi Marmara raid, relations between Türkiye and Israel were strained. A series of diplomatic crises and harsh rhetoric further ignited tensions. This status quo shifted when Azerbaijan hosted reconciliation talks aimed at de-escalating the crisis between these two countries. President Ilham Aliyev personally initiated these talks, resulting in the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between two nations that Azerbaijan holds dear in its foreign policy doctrine.

This initiative enhanced trust in Azerbaijan’s growing diplomatic role as a key mediator and bridge-builder. Both Israel and Türkiye now regard Azerbaijan as a trusted platform for dialogue, thanks to President Aliyev’s balanced and pragmatic foreign policy. Following the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku has positioned itself at the centre of global politics as a secular nation close to the Jewish state and Sunni-majority Türkiye.

Azerbaijan’s ability to maintain high-level political and defence cooperation with Israel while preserving its fraternal alliance with Ankara demonstrates exceptional diplomatic equilibrium. This dual-track diplomacy has not only strengthened Azerbaijan’s role as a regional power but also elevated its status as a credible mediator on the global stage.

After the collapse of the Assad regime, various powers pursued competing agendas in stabilising Syria, with Israeli and Turkish objectives coming dangerously close to sparking a new confrontation. Once again, Azerbaijan played a key mediating role, helping to establish a deconfliction mechanism similar to the one orchestrated to facilitate communication between Israel and Russia, in order to avoid military confrontation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later conveyed his appreciation to President Aliyev in a letter and announced plans for an upcoming official visit to Baku.

The State of Israel and Jewish communities in the United States are also making efforts to include Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords. Jewish leaders in the US have appealed to President Trump for fair treatment of Azerbaijan, recognising Baku as a trusted friend of Israel during its most challenging times.

This is yet another shining example of a genuine friendship that transcends mere strategic partnership. Whether facing threats from Iran whose state TV frequently issues menaces toward both Israel and Azerbaijan or engaging in successful cooperation in intelligence, military, and economic fields, it is now undeniable that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Israel is one of mutual benefit and unshakeable loyalty.

What is good for Azerbaijan is ultimately good for Israel, and what is good for Israel is equally good for Azerbaijan.

History will enshrine this remarkable alliance between two modestly sized nations, yet mighty in political stature bound by an unyielding friendship that not only shapes the destiny of their region but echoes far beyond, as a testament to the power of unity and shared purpose.