Azerbaijan-Israel relations in focus as chief rabbi visits Knesset

Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Azerbaijan, Rabbi Zamir Isayev, visited Israel this week as part of celebrations marking the Knesset’s anniversary, which coincided with Tu Bishvat, the date of the first Knesset session.

During his visit, Isayev met with former minister Yoav Ben-Tzur and lawmakers Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev, Yosef Taieb, Avi Maoz, Yonatan Meshariki, and Moshe Abutbul, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Participants noted that Isayev emphasised the strategic nature of Azerbaijan-Israel relations, framing them as a long-term commitment. He highlighted the security of the Jewish community and shared regional interests as central elements of the partnership.

The trip followed a meeting between President Isaac Herzog and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the leaders discussed expanding cooperation in economic, energy, and security sectors. Similarly, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Baku on January 26 included statements on broadening ties in energy, security, and tourism.

Isayev also stressed personal security as a key feature of Azerbaijan-Israel relations, noting that in Baku it is possible to speak Hebrew openly and display Jewish symbols safely, unlike in some European cities. Sa’ar echoed this observation during his visit, describing Azerbaijan as a place where Israelis can feel at home.

Growing civilian ties provide tangible evidence of the relationship’s strengthening. Azerbaijan Tourism Board data for 2025 shows that 69,124 Israelis visited the country, a 139% increase from 2024, spending 184 million shekels, up 81% from the previous year. Israelis now rank among the top 10 nationalities visiting Azerbaijan, prompting Azerbaijan Airlines and Israir to expand Tel Aviv–Baku flights, with plans to reach 21–28 weekly flights.

Meeting participants also discussed engagement with Jewish communities in the United States. Isayev highlighted their full support for closer Washington-Baku relations, referencing his late-2025 visit to Washington as part of an Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation, where he met with Jewish community leaders.

Knesset officials described Isayev’s visit as an effort to maintain a stable channel with a regional partner that prioritises religious tolerance and cooperation, amid a period of reassessment in other regional relationships.

By Jeyhun Aghazada