Oil, arms and Iran: Azerbaijan to open embassy in Tel Aviv
This would be the first embassy in Israel of a country with a Shi’ite majority and a Shi’ite government. But why now?
Mandi Kogosowski
| 20/11/2022
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on a state visit to Azerbaijan, October 3, 2022. Photo: Nicole Laskavi/MOD
Azerbaijan’s National Assembly voted on Friday in favor of opening an embassy for the country in Tel Aviv, which would be the first embassy in Israel of a country with a Shi’ite majority and a Shi’ite government.
Outgoing Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, welcomed the decision. "Azerbaijan is an important partner of Israel and home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Muslim world. The decision to open an embassy reflects the depth of the relationship between our countries,” he said in a statement.
“This move is the result of the Israeli government's efforts to build strong diplomatic bridges with the Muslim world. I want to thank President Ilham Aliyev and congratulate the Azeri people who will now be represented for the first time in the State of Israel," added Lapid.
This morning (Sunday), Israel’s outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke with his counterpart, Azerbaijan Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov. Following the conversation, Gantz said that he thanked the minister on behalf of Israel’s defense establishment for the important decision taken by the Azeri parliament” and also for his “partnership and commitment to fostering defense relations between Israel and Azerbaijan over the years.
“This reflects the deep friendship between our countries, which I am certain will develop further and make a positive impact on the region.”
Gantz made an official visit to Azerbaijan in early October. According to the official statement, the visit was “dedicated to security and policy issues, and aimed at fostering defense cooperation between the countries.”
According to the renowned Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2016-2020 Israel accounted for 69% of Azerbaijan’s arms imports. In September, it was reported that an Israeli-made Harop suicide drone employed by the Azeri army destroyed Armenian S-300 batteries.
Azerbaijan is Israel’s main crude oil supplier. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), it exported a total of $434 million in crude oil.
The Israeli Supreme Court had previously rejected motions filed by Israeli human rights activists to prevent arms sales to Azerbaijan. The activists cited concerns over the war in Nagorno-Karabach. The Supreme Court said that the plaintiffs did no not provide sufficient evidence or facts regarding potential misuse or war crimes.
Political and defense analysts suggests that a major reason for Israel’s interest in strengthening ties with Azerbaijan is due to better combat the Iranian threat. Iran and Azerbaijan share a 700-mile border, and Tehran has repeatedly warned Baku over the alleged Israeli military presence it claims exists there.
Last month, during Gantz’ visit in Azerbaijan, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian said that his country “will not tolerate geopolitical change and map change in the Caucasus, and we have serious concerns about the presence of terrorists and Zionists in this region.”
This would be the first embassy in Israel of a country with a Shi’ite majority and a Shi’ite government. But why now?
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on a state visit to Azerbaijan, October 3, 2022. Photo: Nicole Laskavi/MOD
Azerbaijan’s National Assembly voted on Friday in favor of opening an embassy for the country in Tel Aviv, which would be the first embassy in Israel of a country with a Shi’ite majority and a Shi’ite government.
Outgoing Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, welcomed the decision. "Azerbaijan is an important partner of Israel and home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Muslim world. The decision to open an embassy reflects the depth of the relationship between our countries,” he said in a statement.
“This move is the result of the Israeli government's efforts to build strong diplomatic bridges with the Muslim world. I want to thank President Ilham Aliyev and congratulate the Azeri people who will now be represented for the first time in the State of Israel," added Lapid.
This morning (Sunday), Israel’s outgoing Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke with his counterpart, Azerbaijan Defense Minister Colonel General Zakir Hasanov. Following the conversation, Gantz said that he thanked the minister on behalf of Israel’s defense establishment for the important decision taken by the Azeri parliament” and also for his “partnership and commitment to fostering defense relations between Israel and Azerbaijan over the years.
“This reflects the deep friendship between our countries, which I am certain will develop further and make a positive impact on the region.”
Gantz made an official visit to Azerbaijan in early October. According to the official statement, the visit was “dedicated to security and policy issues, and aimed at fostering defense cooperation between the countries.”
According to the renowned Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2016-2020 Israel accounted for 69% of Azerbaijan’s arms imports. In September, it was reported that an Israeli-made Harop suicide drone employed by the Azeri army destroyed Armenian S-300 batteries.
Azerbaijan is Israel’s main crude oil supplier. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), it exported a total of $434 million in crude oil.
The Israeli Supreme Court had previously rejected motions filed by Israeli human rights activists to prevent arms sales to Azerbaijan. The activists cited concerns over the war in Nagorno-Karabach. The Supreme Court said that the plaintiffs did no not provide sufficient evidence or facts regarding potential misuse or war crimes.
Political and defense analysts suggests that a major reason for Israel’s interest in strengthening ties with Azerbaijan is due to better combat the Iranian threat. Iran and Azerbaijan share a 700-mile border, and Tehran has repeatedly warned Baku over the alleged Israeli military presence it claims exists there.
Last month, during Gantz’ visit in Azerbaijan, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian said that his country “will not tolerate geopolitical change and map change in the Caucasus, and we have serious concerns about the presence of terrorists and Zionists in this region.”
