Netanyahu Set to Visit Azerbaijan as Diplomatic Ties Deepen

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing for an official visit to Azerbaijan in the near future, Israel Hayom reported. While the exact date has not yet been finalized, diplomatic sources confirm the trip is imminent.

Netanyahu is expected to meet in Baku with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a longstanding ally with whom he has maintained close and cooperative relations. Despite being a Shiite Muslim nation, Azerbaijan has cultivated a uniquely strong and discreet partnership with Israel over the years - especially in the fields of security, energy, and regional diplomacy.

The upcoming visit follows a recent round of "technical talks" in Baku between Israeli and Turkish delegations, reportedly aimed at minimizing military friction between the two nations in Syria. The diplomatic activity comes as regional players scramble to recalibrate their alliances: President Aliyev has recently held separate meetings with both Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa (also known as al-Julani), positioning Baku as a quiet but pivotal diplomatic broker.

In a rare public statement, President Aliyev acknowledged Azerbaijan’s close ties with both Israel and Turkey: "We are allies with Turkey, and Israel is a friendly nation to Azerbaijan. This friendship has proven itself during difficult times for both countries. The tension between them concerns us deeply." He also confirmed that Azerbaijan played a behind-the-scenes role in the 2023 reconciliation between Ankara and Jerusalem.

During Netanyahu’s upcoming visit, the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including the volatile situation in Syria, bilateral economic and defense cooperation, and Azerbaijan’s tense relationship with neighboring Iran. Israel and Azerbaijan maintain strong strategic ties, with Baku supplying oil to Israel through Turkish ports—even during times of conflict.

Foreign media have reported that Israel provides advanced weapons systems to Azerbaijan, a claim that has drawn attention in Tehran, where the Islamic Republic continues to view Baku’s relationship with Jerusalem with hostility. Iran has allegedly attempted multiple terror plots on Azerbaijani soil, some targeting Israeli diplomats and infrastructure.

In a sign of growing cooperation, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen recently visited Azerbaijan and signed several bilateral agreements. Netanyahu’s last official visit to the country took place in 2016.