Nations Walk Out During Israeli President's Speech in Azerbaijan; Qatar Stays

By רבקה שורק

Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba

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Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech at a summit in Azerbaijan was disrupted when representatives from Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Authority walked out. Notably, the Emir of Qatar remained and listened. The president traveled on a commercial flight that crossed Turkish airspace, bypassing a Turkish ban on Israeli government aircraft. The summit involves countries without diplomatic ties to Israel and occurs amid regional tensions.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Representatives from Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Authority walked out during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech.
The Emir of Qatar remained in his seat and listened to President Herzog's address.
The summit in Azerbaijan is part of an Asian forum for cooperation and regional security.
President Herzog flew on a commercial flight that crossed Turkish airspace, bypassing a ban on Israeli government planes.
The gathering includes nations that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Nations Walk Out During Israeli President's Speech in Azerbaijan; Qatar Stays — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

During an address by Israeli President Isaac Herzog at a summit in Azerbaijan, representatives from Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Authority walked out of the hall. In contrast, the Emir of Qatar remained in his seat and listened to the president's remarks. The summit is part of an Asian forum for cooperation, regional security, and confidence-building among nations. This unusual gathering includes representatives from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

President Herzog's flight to Baku also presented a notable detail. According to Middle East Eye, he traveled on a commercial flight with Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) that crossed Turkish airspace without issue. This was possible because, since 2024, Turkey has prohibited Israeli government aircraft from its airspace, but not civilian flights. Using a commercial plane allowed Herzog a more direct route, avoiding a longer alternative path over Greece, Bulgaria, and the Black Sea.

The summit is taking place amidst significant regional security and political tensions, particularly given the presence of an Iranian representative at an event attended by the Israeli president. Other participants include representatives from Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, alongside the Emir of Qatar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.