Azerbaijan-Israel Diplomacy: A Game-Changing Moment in Regional Politics

In a significant diplomatic development, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, held extensive talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Tuesday. This meeting is being hailed as a potential "game-changing moment" in regional politics, with both sides exploring ways to strengthen their bilateral cooperation.

Hajiyev conveyed the greetings of President Ilham Aliyev to Netanyahu, emphasizing the importance of expanding relations and discussing regional developments. The timing of the meeting—just 48 hours after Netanyahu’s strategic discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio—signals growing momentum for Azerbaijan's potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords framework.

Azerbaijan’s Strategic Importance

Azerbaijan has been one of Israel’s most reliable partners in the Muslim world for three decades, with its strategic importance in the region continuing to grow. As the Middle East evolves, Azerbaijan's role in security and cooperation is seen as crucial. Its potential inclusion in the Abraham Accords, which have already seen normalization between Israel and several Arab states, would be a key development.

According to officials, Azerbaijan’s involvement could significantly enhance Israel’s partnerships in the Muslim-majority world, aligning with both US and Israeli interests. Azerbaijan’s strategic location, its alignment against Iran, and its growing ties with Central Asia make it a vital player in regional security.

Israel’s Strategic Shift

A recent report from the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies recommended actively pursuing Azerbaijan's inclusion in American-Israeli regional development, focusing on areas such as defense, AI, and cybersecurity. This approach is in line with Israel’s broader strategy of expanding the Abraham Accords to include more Muslim-majority countries, including those in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

While obstacles remain, such as Section 907—an amendment that restricts U.S. assistance to Azerbaijan—diplomatic experts stress the need to remove these barriers to fully capitalize on Azerbaijan’s advantages in the "Greater Middle East" framework.

Azerbaijan’s Key Role in the Middle East

Azerbaijan’s unique position as a Muslim-majority nation with longstanding ties to Israel makes it an attractive partner in the expansion of the Abraham Accords. The country has shown consistent support for Israel, including during critical periods such as the recent conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah, when Azerbaijan significantly increased its oil exports.

The timing of Hajiyev’s visit, alongside renewed US-Israeli coordination on Iran’s nuclear program, highlights Azerbaijan’s growing importance as a security partner. Both nations view the Iranian regime as a significant threat, making their collaboration in this area especially vital.