Azerbaijan and Israel share a remarkably strong partnership, often described as strategic and multifaceted, despite Azerbaijan's Muslim-majority population and Israel's position in a volatile region. Established in 1992, shortly after Azerbaijan's independence from the Soviet Union, these ties have deepened over three decades, encompassing energy, defense, and geopolitics. Israel was among the first nations to recognize Azerbaijan, providing early humanitarian aid during its conflicts. This foundation has evolved into a model of cooperation, with Azerbaijan serving as Israel's key Muslim ally and Israel as a vital partner for Baku's security needs. The relationship's resilience was evident in 2022 when Azerbaijan opened an embassy in Tel Aviv after 30 years, and in ongoing energy supplies amid global tensions.
At the core of this bond is mutual economic interdependence. Azerbaijan supplies approximately 40% of Israel's oil, transported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline through Turkey—a route that remained operational even during Israeli-Turkish strains. In 2019, this extended to over 60% of Israel's gasoline imports, underscoring Baku's role in Israel's energy security. Reciprocally, Israel has become Azerbaijan's largest trading partner in non-oil sectors, with bilateral trade reaching $2.5 billion annually by 2023. This "arms for oil" dynamic, though simplified, highlights pragmatic benefits: Azerbaijan gains advanced technology, while Israel diversifies energy sources away from potentially hostile suppliers.
Defense cooperation forms another pillar, described by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as an "iceberg" with most aspects below the surface. From the 2010s, Israel provided 60-69% of Azerbaijan's military imports, including drones and missile systems crucial for the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. These arms helped Azerbaijan reclaim territories from Armenia, a victory Israel quietly supported despite international scrutiny. Intelligence sharing and joint exercises further bolster this alliance, positioning Azerbaijan as a forward base for Israeli operations. High-level visits, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 2016 trip to Baku, have solidified these ties.
Geopolitically, shared threats—particularly from Iran—drive the partnership. Iran, a staunch Armenian ally, has historically undermined Azerbaijan through support for separatists and border incursions. Fearing Azerbaijani nationalism among its 20-30% ethnic Azeri population, Tehran views Baku's prosperity as a destabilizing force. Israel, perceiving Iran as its existential threat, finds in Azerbaijan a strategic buffer on Tehran's northern border, enabling surveillance and potential strikes. This alignment extends to countering Russian and Iranian influence in the Caucasus, with both nations leaning toward NATO allies like Turkey. Azerbaijan's secular governance, modeled on Turkish Kemalism, minimizes religious friction, allowing it to defy pan-Islamic pressures on the Palestinian issue.
Cultural and historical affinities add depth. Azerbaijan hosts one of the world's oldest Jewish communities, the Mountain Jews of Krasnaya Sloboda, numbering 7,000-16,000, who enjoy harmonious relations with locals. Over 70,000 Azerbaijani Jews live in Israel, fostering people-to-people ties and lobbying for stronger bilateral links. Events like Israel's 2024 culture festival in Baku and Azerbaijan's top Eurovision votes for Israeli artists in 2025 reflect this warmth. Azerbaijan promotes religious tolerance, with synagogues and mosques coexisting, contrasting with more sectarian neighbors.
To illustrate these dimensions, the following table summarizes key aspects:
| Aspect | Details | Impact on Relations |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Trade | Azerbaijan supplies 40% of Israel's oil; $2.5B annual non-oil trade | Ensures Israel's energy security; economic growth for Azerbaijan |
| Defense Cooperation | Israel provides 60% of Azerbaijan's arms, including drones for Karabakh | Enhances Azerbaijan's military edge; strategic depth for Israel |
| Geopolitical Alignment | Mutual opposition to Iran; alliances with Turkey and U.S. | Forms anti-Iran buffer; regional stability |
| Cultural Ties | Jewish community in Azerbaijan; 70,000 Azerbaijani Jews in Israel | Builds trust and public support |
This alliance exemplifies realpolitik: pragmatic interests overriding ideological divides. As Azerbaijan stabilizes post-Karabakh and Israel navigates Middle East shifts, their partnership—renewed by 2024 diplomatic gestures—promises enduring benefits. With potential U.S. involvement via Abraham Accords expansion, it could reshape Eurasian dynamics, modeling secular Muslim-Jewish collaboration. Yet challenges loom, including Turkish pressure over Gaza and Iranian saber-rattling, testing this "quiet friendship." Ultimately, shared vulnerabilities and gains ensure Azerbaijan-Israel relations remain a beacon of unlikely amity
