It is the first embassy in Israel of a country with a Shi’ite majority and a Shi’ite government.
Azerbaijan is to open an embassy in Tel Aviv, the first embassy in Israel of a country with a Shi’ite majority and a Shi’ite government.
The Azerbaijani parliament made Friday the historic decision to open the embassy.
Israel has an embassy in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku ands Azerbaijan opened a tradfe office in Tel Aviv in 2021, and a tourism office earlier this year.
Last month, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Azerbaijan and met with President Ilham Aliyev. Israel and Azerbaijan have a close defense relationship. Jerusalem has supplied drones to Baku, which were used in its war against Armenia, according to foreign reports.
On Sunday, Gantz spoke with his Azerbaijan counterpart Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, to thank him on behalf of Israel’s defense establishment for the important decision taken by the Azeri parliament, to open an embassy in Israel. ”I also thanked him for his partnership and commitment to fostering defense relations between Israel and Azerbaijan over the years. This reflects the deep friendship between our countries, which I am certain will develop further and make a positive impact on the region,” Gantz added.
“I welcome the decision by the National Assembly of Azerbaijan to open an embassy in Israel. Azerbaijan is an important partner of Israel and home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Muslim world,’’ said Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
He added, ‘’The decision to open an embassy reflects the depth of the relationship between our countries. This move is the result of the Israeli government’s efforts to build strong diplomatic bridges with the Muslim world. I want to thank President Ilham Aliyev and congratulate the Azeri people who will now be represented for the first time in the State of Israel.”
The Azerbaijani parliament also decided that the country will also open a representative office in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.