Azerbaijan–Israel relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Azerbaijan–Israel relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Azerbaijan

Israel

Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev and Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Baku, May 2023

Azerbaijan and Israel began diplomatic relations in 1992 following Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union.[1] Azerbaijan is one of the majority Muslim countries, alongside Turkey, Egypt, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kosovo, Morocco, Albania, and the other former Soviet republics to develop bilateral strategic and economic relations with Israel.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Azerbaijani stamp commemorating the 3000th anniversary of Jerusalem.

On October 18, 1991, the declaration of the Parliament of Azerbaijan restored the country's independence, and in November 1991 Turkey became the first state to formally recognize it.[2] On December 25, 1991, Israel formally recognized the independence of Azerbaijan,[3] becoming one of the first states to do so, and established diplomatic relations with the country on April 7, 1992.[3] During the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Israel funded and provided weapons and artillery to Azerbaijan.[4]

Azerbaijan is home to some 30,000 Jews, residing primarily in Baku and the Qırmızı Qəsəbə settlement in the Quba district of Azerbaijan.[5] Mountain Jews have been living in Azerbaijan for close to 1,500 years; they are the descendants of Persian Jews. During the conquest by the Islamic Caliphate, Arabs settled an allied Jewish tribe in the neighborhoods of Baku; in 1730, Jews were officially allowed the right of residence and property ownership rights in Quba.[6] There are also nearly 5,000 Ashkenazi Jews living mostly in Baku. The first Jewish Sochnut school in the Soviet Union was opened in 1982 in Baku, then capital of Azerbaijan SSR.

21st century[edit]

According to a 2009 leaked U.S. diplomatic cable, Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev once compared his country's relationship with Israel to an iceberg: "Nine-tenths of it is below the surface."[7]

In 2009, Israeli President Shimon Peres made a visit to Azerbaijan where military relations were expanded further, with the Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd announcing it would build a factory in Baku.[8]

Azerbaijan was visited by David Harris, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, in July 2010, shortly after the visit of Hillary Clinton to Baku. During the reception, Harris said Azerbaijan presented cultural, strategic and political importance.[9]

In 2010, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev issued a decree banning the issue of visas in the country's international airports; foreigners henceforth had to apply for visas at the nearest Azerbaijani consulate. Israel and Turkey were the only two countries whose citizens were unaffected by the new law.[10]

In 2016, Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman supported the position of Azerbaijan in the 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, calling it "absolutely justified".[11] Furthermore, Lieberman held Armenia responsible for provoking the conflict in April 2016.[citation needed]

A delegation of the World Jewish Congress visited Azerbaijan in September 2016; during the talks with the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasis was put on "excellent" relations with Israel and the Jewish community.[12][13]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, December 2016

In December 2016, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid an official visit to Baku. During the visit he emphasized that "Israel and Azerbaijan enjoy an excellent relationship and warm friendship".[14] During the visit Netanyahu visited the Alley of Martyrs and paid tribute to Azerbaijani heroes.[15] He also visited the Ohr Avner Chabad Day School, met with the local Jewish community and gave a speech before students.[16][17] Press statements made by the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also showed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation of the two countries.[18][19] Later that month, the Azerbaijan-Israel intergovernmental agreement on air communication was signed.[20]

In December 2016, Israeli journalist Alexander Lapshin was arrested in Belarus at the request of Azerbaijan due to his visit to Nagorno-Karabakh. Despite protests from Israel, the Council of Europe, the UN Human Rights Committee and human rights organizations, Lapshin was extradited to Azerbaijan. By decision of the Baku criminal court he was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Immediately after the trial, under unclear circumstances, the journalist was assaulted by fellow inmates in prison, as a result of which he was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Immediately after this incident, the President of Azerbaijan issued a decree pardoning the convicted Israeli. Later, by a decision of the European Court of Human Rights dated May 21, 2021, the Azerbaijani authorities were found guilty of illegal arrest, cruel torture and organizing an attempted murder against Lapshin.[21][22][23]

Azerbaijan was visited by John Shapiro, executive director of the American Jewish Committee, in January 2017, shortly after the visit of Benjamin Netanyahu to Baku. During the reception, Shapiro said that constructive partnership between Azerbaijan, United States, and Israel has a big significance.[24]

In 2017, an Azerbaijani laundromat money-laundering scheme organized by Azerbaijan was uncovered, revealing that, between 2012 and 2014, Azerbaijan created a slush fund of $2.9 billion used to bribe European and American politicians, journalists, lawmakers, and academics to lobby for Azerbaijani interests abroad. One of the primary agendas of the laundromat was to portray Azerbaijan as "a role model for multicultural tolerance". In particular, Israeli and Jewish organizations in the United States and Europe were used to present Azerbaijan as "a trusted Muslim partner of Israel and the Jewish people". German and French lobbyists bribed by the laundromat frequently sought to portray Azerbaijan as a friend of Israel. The Podesta Group, an American lobbying firm paid $60,000 per month by the Azerbaijani government, contacted pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC and JINSA on behalf of Azerbaijan.[25]

April 2017 marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and Azerbaijan.[26][27] A congratulatory letter to the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included:[28][29]

Israel is proud to have been one of the first nations to recognize the independent Republic of Azerbaijan. In the quarter-century since, our countries have built a solid relationship based on genuine friendship between the Jewish and Azerbaijani peoples. ... Azerbaijan is a model of inter-faith and multicultural harmony in an area fraught with religious and ethnic rivalries. Like you, Israel is a beacon of stability and tolerance in an unstable region. Despite the challenges we face, we have both succeeded in creating thriving economies and vibrant, prosperous and peace-seeking societies.

Israeli–Azerbaijani ties strengthened since the very early 1990s. The strategic relationship included cooperation in trade and security matters, cultural and educational exchanges, etc. Relations entered a new phase in August 1997 during the visit of the then Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Baku. Since then Israel has been developing closer ties with Azerbaijan and has helped modernize the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan. The Israeli military has been a major provider of battlefield aviation, artillery, anti-tank, and anti-infantry weaponry to Azerbaijan.[30][31]

In March 2017, several regional tours were made by the Israeli envoy to Azerbaijan to deepen economic cooperation in the spheres of economy, agriculture, and tourism:[32] Azerbaijan and Israel abolished double taxation between the two countries in April 2017.[33]

During his speech at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly on September 19, 2017, Netanyahu mentioned the expansion of cooperation between the two countries.[34]

In January 2019, the State Border Service of Azerbaijan purchased SkyStriker kamikazes from Israel's Elbit Systems. Azerbaijan became the first foreign buyer of SkyStrikers.[35]

During the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war with Armenia, Azerbaijan has deployed Israeli-made weapons on Armenian targets.[36] In March 2023 Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Israel.[37]

Security relations[edit]

Following an October 2001 meeting with Israeli ambassador Eitan Naeh, Azerbaijan's then-president Heydar Aliyev declared that the two countries had identical positions in the fight against international terrorism.[38] Israeli intelligence helps collect human intelligence about what they view as extremist organizations in the region. One of the groups, Hizb ut-Tahrir, which seeks the annihilation of the state of Israel, threatens both Jerusalem and Baku. Hizb ut-Tahrir is suspected of having several hundred members in Azerbaijan, and several its members were arrested and prosecuted by Azerbaijani authorities.[39]

In 2008, a plot was foiled to bomb the Israeli Embassy in Baku, which is located in a high-rise building along with the Thai and Japanese embassies. Two Hezbollah militants went on trial for the attempt in May 2009.[40] Local police narrowly averted the potential disaster, which involved placing three or four car bombs around the high-rise complex to carry out the attack. Groups planned the bombing in retaliation for the 2008 assassination in Damascus, Syria of Hezbollah's second in command Imad Mughniyah, which the Lebanese group blamed on Israel. News reports suggested Iran was involved in the plan as well.[41]

Alleged cooperation against Iran[edit]

Some analysts consider that both Israel and Azerbaijan see Iran as an existential threat. Azerbaijan fears Iranian Islamist influence, but Iran fears Azerbaijan, too, as up to 18 million Iranians are ethnic Azeris. On the other hand, Azerbaijan has close links with Turkey, and the post-2006 worsening of Israel–Turkey relations may have repercussions on Azerbaijan's relations with Israel.[42]

In February 2012, Iran rebuked Azerbaijan for allegedly aiding anti-Iranian activities by Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.[43] A few weeks later Azerbaijan arrested 22 people in a suspected Iranian plot against Israeli and US targets in Azerbaijan.[44] In March 2012, the magazine Foreign Policy reported that the Israeli Air Force may be preparing to use Azerbaijan’s Sitalchay Military Airbase, located 500 km (340 miles) from the Iranian border, for air strikes against the nuclear program of Iran.[7]

On March 29, 2012, officials[who?] stated that Israel was granted access to air bases in Azerbaijan through a "series of quiet political and military understandings." According to Haaretz, these airbases could potentially be used in a strike against Iran over its nuclear program and other tensions with Iran, and would be allowed by Azerbaijan.[45] Israeli and Azerbaijani officials denied these reports.[46][47]

On September 30, 2012, it was reported that Azerbaijan and Israel jointly examined the use of Azerbaijani air bases and spy drones to help Israeli jets perform a long-range strike on Iran. This would help Israel concerning issues with refueling, reconnaissance, and rescuing crews, and could make an attack more feasible.[48] The plan involves using an Israeli tanker aircraft painted in the colors of a third country airline company that would land and refuel in Azerbaijan and then refuel the Israeli strike aircraft.[49]

Israeli arms exports to Azerbaijan[edit]

In 2012, Israel and Azerbaijan signed an agreement according to which state-run Israel Aerospace Industries would sell $1.6 billion in drones and anti-aircraft and missile defense systems to Azerbaijan.[50]

Israel is an important exporter of arms to Azerbaijan. According to research of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Israel accounted for 27 percent of Azerbaijan's major arms imports from 2011 to 2020 and from 2016 to 2020, Israel accounted for 69 percent of Azerbaijan's major arms imports.[51] In 2023, the two countries signed a deal for Israel to supply Azerbaijan with two satellites for $120 million[52] as well as purchase the "Barak MX" missile interception system for $1.2 billion.[53]

Trade relations[edit]

Economic cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan has been growing significantly. As Azerbaijan deregulated its industries and liberalized its economy in the early 1990s, Israeli companies penetrated Azerbaijani markets.[54] Many companies have invested in the service industry. One example is Bezeq, a major Israeli telecommunication provider. Through a trade contract bid in 1994, Bezeq bought a large share of the telephone operating system.[55] Today it installs phone lines and operates regional services throughout much of the country. Another company, Bakcell, was started as a joint venture between the Ministry of Communication of Azerbaijan and GTIB (Israel)[56] in early 1994 as the first cellular telephone operator in the country. Dozens of Israeli companies are active in the Azerbaijani energy sector. For instance, Modcon Systems Ltd., an Israel-based supplier of high technology to the oil and gas industries, opened a branch in Azerbaijan.[citation needed] In March 2021, Israeli defense company Meteor Aerospace teamed up with Caspian Ship Building Company (CSBC) of Azerbaijan to jointly offer advanced defense solutions to meet the Eurasian country's national needs.[57]

Between 2000 and 2005, Israel has risen from being Azerbaijan's tenth-largest trading partner to its fifth. According to U.N. statistics, between 1997 and 2004, exports from Azerbaijan to Israel increased from barely over US$2 million to $323 million, fueled in recent years by the high price of oil.[58] As of 2013, 40 percent of oil to Israel is exported from Baku, which makes Azerbaijan Israel's largest oil supplier.[59]

Azerbaijan and Israel abolished double taxation between countries in April 2017.[60] "Defense and energy sectors apart, the bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to $260 million in 2016," said the Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan.[61] According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, the total trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel amounted to $116.2 million in January–February 2017, which is 17.5 percent more compared to the same period of 2016.[60]

In 2020 trade between Azerbaijan and Israel was approximately 200 million US dollars (besides oil supplies).[62]

On July 29, 2021, the Trade and Tourism Representative Office of Azerbaijan was founded in Tel Aviv.[63]

Energy[edit]

Azerbaijan and Israel cooperate closely in the field of energy: Israel buys 40 percent of its oil from Azerbaijan.[64][65]

In a 2007 speech, the Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan, Arthur Lenk, spoke of continuous trade between Azerbaijan and Israel in the energy sector. He noted that until the inauguration of the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline in 2006, Israel was a key consumer of Azerbaijani oil exports and that the proximity of Ceyhan to Israel offers excellent new opportunities for greater Israeli participation in this sector of the economy, thus creating additional areas for collaboration and mutual benefit. He underlined that through the Trans-Israel pipeline between Ashkelon and Eilat, Israel could be a strategic partner for marketing Caspian oil to Asia. Israeli efforts in developing alternative energy resources, especially solar energy, were also mentioned. Israel additionally seeks possibilities of importing gas from the Caspian Sea region.[66]

In December 2016, during his visit to Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Today we are negotiating not only for the supply of Azerbaijani oil, but also imports of Azerbaijani gas to Israel".[18][19] In 2021 it was estimated that Israel imported 65 percent of its oil from Azerbaijan.[67]

Resident diplomatic missions[edit]

  • Azerbaijan has an embassy in Tel Aviv.
  • Israel has an embassy in Baku.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "News.Az – Azerbaijan, Israel to continue 'to forge strong friendship'". Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Nichol, James P. (1995). Diplomacy in the Former Soviet Republics. Praeger/Greenwood. p. 150. ISBN 0-275-95192-8.
  3. ^ a b Lenk, Arthur (April 7, 2007). "15th anniversary of Israel-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  4. ^ "Azerbaijan buys Israeli weapons, but is very cautious". Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "Azerbaijan Virtual Jewish History Tour". Jewish Virtual Library. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017. As of 2016, approximately 30,000 Jews live in Azerbaijan
  6. ^ "Jerusalem of the Caucasus". Visions of Azerbaijan Magazine. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Perry, Mark (March 28, 2012). "Israel's Secret Staging Ground". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
  8. ^ Ora Coren (June 29, 2009). "Aeronautics to build plant in Azerbaijan". Haaretz. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  9. ^ "Ilham Aliyev received the Executive Director of American Jewish Committee". President's office. July 4, 2010. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  10. ^ Citizens of Turkey and Israel Unaffected by New Visa Issue Law Archived March 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Vesti.az. November 9, 2010.
  11. ^ "Avigdor Lieberman: Azerbaijan's position in Karabakh conflict justified". April 6, 2016. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  12. ^ "'Excellent relations with Jewish community and Israel,' Azerbaijan's president tells WJC delegation". www.worldjewishcongress.org. World Jewish Congress. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  13. ^ "Ronald Lauder: I highly appreciate respectful and warm attitude of Azerbaijani people and Azerbaijani leadership towards Jewish community". Azertag. September 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  14. ^ "Netanyahu: Israel, Azerbaijan enjoy excellent relations". APA Information Agency, APA. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  15. ^ "Israeli Prime Minister visits Alley of Martyrs in Baku". Azertag. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  16. ^ "PM Netanyahu Meets with Jewish Community in Baku". YouTube. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  17. ^ "PM Netanyahu Meets with Jewish Community in Azerbaijan". YouTube. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  18. ^ a b "Statements by PM Netanyahu and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev". YouTube. December 13, 2016. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  19. ^ a b "PM Netanyahu meets with Azerbaijan President Aliyev". Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  20. ^ "Azerbaijan, Israel agree on air communication". AzerNews.az. December 29, 2016. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  21. ^ "European Rights Court Finds Baku Authorities Guilty Of Trying To Kill Blogger".
  22. ^ "בית דין לזכויות אדם: אזרבייג'ן לא מנעה ניסיון לרצוח עיתונאי ישראלי שהיא כלאה".
  23. ^ "בלוגר: "אזרבייג'ן ניסתה לחטוף אותי - וישראל שותקת"".
  24. ^ "Azerbaijan-US-Israel partnership very important (exclusive)". Trend.Az (in Russian). January 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 5, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  25. ^ "European Values Bought and Sold: An exploration into Azerbaijan's sophisticated system of projecting its international influence, buying Western politicians and capturing intergovernmental organisations" (PDF). Civic Solidarity Platform. Freedom Files Analytical Centre. March 2017. pp. 12, 63. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  26. ^ "Israel and Azerbaijan: Celebrating 25 Years of Friendship". Jewish Journal. April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  27. ^ "Celebrating 25 years of Azerbaijan-Israel Relations". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  28. ^ "From Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel". en.president.az. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  29. ^ "Israeli PM: Azerbaijan model of inter-faith, multicultural harmony". Trend.Az (in Russian). April 8, 2017. Archived from the original on April 9, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  30. ^ "Good Relations between Azerbaijan and Israel". Archived from the original on August 21, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  31. ^ Jane's Defence Weekly, October 16, 1996
  32. ^ "Israeli envoy tours regions to deepen economic cooperation". AzerNews.az. March 15, 2017. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  33. ^ "Azerbaijan, Israel abolishing double taxation". Trend.Az (in Russian). April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  34. ^ "FULL TEXT: Netanyahu's Address to UN General Assembly". Haaretz. September 19, 2017. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  35. ^ "Azerbaijan purchases kamikaze drones from Israel". AzerNews.az. January 14, 2019. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  36. ^ "Azeris use Israeli-made drones as conflict escalates with Armenia -- report". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Azerbaijan to open embassy in Israel today". March 29, 2023.
  38. ^ Itar-TASS News Agency (Moscow), October 22, 2001
  39. ^ Swietochowski, "Azerbaijan: The Hidden Faces of Islam," World Policy Journal, p. 75.
  40. ^ "Israeli Embassy Bombing Foiled – Defense/Middle East – News – Arutz Sheva". Arutz Sheva. May 31, 2009. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  41. ^ Rotella, Sebastian (May 30, 2009). "Azerbaijan seen as new front in Mideast conflict". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 13, 2009. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  42. ^ Tim Judah (February 6, 2012). "Israel's front-line in the South Caucasus". The Jewish Chronicle. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  43. ^ "Iran rebukes Azerbaijan for allegedly aiding Israel's Mossad". Haaretz. February 12, 2012. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  44. ^ "Azerbaijan arrests 22 suspects in plot to attack Israeli, U.S. targets". Haaretz. March 14, 2012. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
  45. ^ "Azerbaijan granted Israel access to air bases on Iran border". Haaretz. March 29, 2012. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  46. ^ "Azerbaijan denies report it gave Israel access to airfields". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  47. ^ "Israel's Lieberman rebuffs claims on Azeri air base access". AzerNews.az. April 25, 2012. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  48. ^ "Azerbaijan eyes aiding Israel against Iran". Ynetnews. Reuters. September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  49. ^ Grove, Thomas. "Azerbaijan eyes aiding Israel against Iran." Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Reuters, September 30, 2012.
  50. ^ Israel signs deal to provide Azerbaijan with $1.6 billion in military equipment Archived February 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. The Washington Post. February 26, 2012.
  51. ^ Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict could impact the Israeli-Russian relationship — especially in Syria
  52. ^ "Israel Aerospace Industries to Supply Azerbaijan With Satellites". Haaretz. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  53. ^ "Azerbaijan buys $1.2b Israel Aerospace Barak missile system". Globes. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  54. ^ Bourtman, Ilya (2006). "Israel and Azerbaijan's Furtive Embrace". Middle East Quarterly. 13 (3): 44–57. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  55. ^ Perry, Mark (March 28, 2012). "Israel's Secret Staging Ground". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on December 16, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  56. ^ Israel-Azerbaijan Telecommunications Forum Archived December 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  57. ^ Israel's Meteor Aerospace, Azerbaijan's CSBC forge defense solution alliance, Israel defense, Retrieved 27 March 2021
  58. ^ Ilya Bourtman (June 2006). "Israel and Azerbaijan's Furtive Embrace". Middle East Forum. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  59. ^ "Azerbaijan's Cooperation with Israel Goes Beyond Iran Tensions". www.washingtoninstitute.org. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  60. ^ a b "Azerbaijan, Israel abolishing double taxation". Trend.Az. April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  61. ^ "Israeli ambassador hails the country's relations with Azerbaijan". April 6, 2017. Archived from the original on April 11, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  62. ^ "Azerbaijan opens trade office in Tel Aviv 30 years after forming ties". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  63. ^ Economy, The Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of. "Trade and Tourism Representative Offices of Azerbaijan in Israel established - The Republic of Azerbaijan Ministry of Economy". www.economy.gov.az. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  64. ^ "Why Azerbaijan is Good for Israel and the International Community". Haaretz. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  65. ^ Keinon, Herb. (November 15, 2018). "Jewish State appoints Christian envoy to Muslim Country". Jerusalem Post Archived November 15, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  66. ^ Embassy of Israel in Azerbaijan. Ambassador Lenk: "Israel can be a strategic partner for marketing Caspian oil to Asia". Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 2007-07-12
  67. ^ Saltman, Max (October 4, 2023). "As Azerbaijan claims final victory in Nagorno Karabakh, arms trade with Israel comes under scrutiny". CNN. Retrieved October 26, 2023.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]