BBC: Experts from various countries react to Azerbaijan–Israel strategic ties

Published: 2025-06-02 07:56

Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Baku-based Center for Analysis of International Relations, notes that the Jewish community in Azerbaijan has a thousand-year history and has been one of the driving factors in the development of bilateral relations. He emphasizes that relations between Azerbaijan and Israel go far beyond a mere “exchange of oil and weapons,” stating: “In addition, given Azerbaijan’s geographic proximity to Iran, much broader historical and geopolitical interests are involved.”

Salih Bıçakcı, Associate Professor at Kadir Has University in Turkey, explains that the two countries have built “mutual, long-term, and trust-based relations.” He adds: “The closest location from which Israel can monitor Iran using its technology is Azerbaijan. In this regard, Baku plays a significant role. While this issue is not openly discussed, the country does hold such a vision and mission.”

Nazrin Gadimova-Akbulut, an independent researcher on Azerbaijani foreign policy, told the BBC that both countries “share common regional interests and have the resources to meet each other's needs. Azerbaijan supplies more than half of Israel’s energy requirements.”

Dr. Gallia Lindenstrauss of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) at Tel Aviv University notes that Israel and Azerbaijan are “deeply concerned about Iran’s expansionist and destabilizing policies,” and view their partnership as a way to respond to growing instability in both the regional and international systems (BBC Persian Service).

By Azerbaijani-Israeli Alliance Global News