Jewish leader: Azerbaijan has no history of antisemitism over two millennia

William Daroff, chief executive of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said Azerbaijan offers a model for cooperation between Muslim-majority nations and Israel, citing what he described as 2,000 years of uninterrupted Jewish life without antisemitism.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva – Israel National News following a recent visit to Baku, Daroff said Jews have lived in Azerbaijan for more than two millennia “with literally no acts of antisemitism”, calling the country’s record “amazing”.

He credited Azerbaijan’s leadership with cultivating close ties both with the Jewish community and with Israel, pointing to strong political and defence cooperation. Daroff described relations between President Ilham Aliyev and, previously, his father, Heydar Aliyev, and Israel as “remarkable”.

He also underlined Azerbaijan’s strategic position, noting that it borders both Iran and Russia. The country, which is predominantly Shia Muslim, is active in regional and international Islamic institutions — a factor Daroff suggested could allow it to play a leading role in encouraging broader Muslim engagement with Israel.

Daroff was speaking during the Conference’s annual meeting in Jerusalem, where participants met Israeli leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, opposition leader Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz and former prime minister Naftali Bennett.

Beyond political discussions, Daroff highlighted meetings with families of hostages and those killed in the war with Hamas, describing the experience as a stark reminder of Israel’s ongoing security challenges.

While welcoming the return of some hostages, he warned that uncertainty persists, including concerns over potential Iranian missile threats and the future demilitarisation and governance of Gaza. He also noted that US President Donald Trump remains an unpredictable factor in the regional equation.

Reflecting on the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, Daroff said the shock was deeply felt within the American Jewish community, strengthening ties between Israel and the diaspora.

“At the end of the day,” he said, “it is the Jewish people who will stand strong for the Jewish people.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev