Recognition of Armenian genocide angers Israeli partner Azerbaijan

Israel's recent decision to recognize the "genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire" has provoked strong protests from Azerbaijan, a crucial ally and oil supplier. Baku's Foreign Ministry called on Israel to reconsider the decision, stating it "distorts history."

The Israeli move was not directly aimed at Azerbaijan but was partly a response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent attacks on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Erdogan called "a new Hitler." However, Azerbaijan shares ethnic ties with Turkey and has close relations with Ankara. Azerbaijan used Turkish and Israeli weapons in its 2020 conflict to retake Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia.

Historically, Israel has avoided recognizing the Armenian genocide to maintain delicate relations with Turkey. In 1992, Education Minister Yossi Sarid referred to the events as genocide, but official Israel reserved its position. Azerbaijan provides nearly half of Israel's oil, and the countries share intimate cooperation in arms and intelligence, with reports of Israeli special forces operating in Azerbaijan during its war with Iran.

Israel faces a difficult dilemma: withdrawing the genocide recognition would be politically damaging, but Azerbaijan's strategic importance, particularly concerning oil and regional security against Iran, makes it irreplaceable. Iran's significant Azerbaijani minority, speaking a language close to Turkish, adds another layer of complexity to the region's dynamics.