Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to make an official visit to Azerbaijan in the coming weeks, according to a report published Wednesday in the Israeli newspaper, Israel Hayom. Although a final date has not been announced, preparations are underway.
Focus: Rising Tensions Between Israel and Turkey in Syria
The visit comes amid shifting regional dynamics and recent technical discussions between senior Israeli and Turkish delegations held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
During the trip, Netanyahu is expected to meet with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a long-time strategic partner of Israel. The two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, with a primary focus on defusing military tensions between Israel and Turkey in Syria and preventing any direct military confrontations.
Israel is a Friendly Nation to Azerbaijan
President Aliyev, who generally maintains a low profile on Israel-Azerbaijan relations, recently addressed the regional situation. “Both countries are close friends of Azerbaijan,” he said. “We are allies with Turkey, and Israel is a friendly state with whom we’ve shared longstanding mutual support—even in difficult times. That’s why this current tension between them is deeply concerning to us.”
Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan has played a role in mediating between the countries before, and may again help reduce regional tensions.
Recent Israel-Turkey Meeting in Baku
Just a few weeks ago, an official meeting between Israeli and Turkish representatives was held in Baku with the goal of avoiding direct conflict in the Syrian theater. During that meeting, Israel issued a firm message regarding foreign military presence in Syria. According to a senior Israeli official, Israel made it clear that any Turkish attempt to establish military bases near Palmyra would be viewed as a serious escalation and a red line.
The same official confirmed that the parties reached an agreement to establish a framework for ongoing dialogue to prevent future friction. Similar meetings to the one held in Baku are expected to become a regular occurrence.
