Social Media Campaign Depicts Azerbaijan's President Aliyev With Antisemitic Tropes

An antisemitic social media campaign is underway, portraying Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev as an enemy of Islam and a puppet of Israel, amid protests against a hijab ban in the country. As of October 17, intelligence suggests that entities from Turkey, Iran, and Russia are behind the campaign. Tensions within Azerbaijan escalated in September 2026 following new government regulations prohibiting students from wearing clothing that deviates from the official uniform or contradicts the secular nature of public education. While the hijab is not explicitly mentioned, reports indicate that female students and teachers wearing Islamic headscarves were subsequently barred from entering schools. The hijab ban itself is considered an internal Azerbaijani matter. However, conspiracy theories have recently surfaced online, linking Azerbaijan's close ties with Israel to the government's new legislation. Concurrently, caricatures circulating online mock Aliyev using classic antisemitic stereotypes, such as a long "Jewish" nose, depicting him as subservient to Netanyahu and an opponent of Islam. One cartoon shows Aliyev on all fours barking at girls in hijabs, with Netanyahu holding the leash from behind. The exact forces orchestrating this propaganda campaign remain unclear. Turkey, an important ally of Azerbaijan, has seen its ruling party criticize the school dress code. President Erdogan's remarks at the UN General Assembly in September, condemning restrictions on hijab wear in schools, were perceived as a veiled criticism of Azerbaijan, despite not naming the country. Iran and Azerbaijan have a long-standing history of tension due to Baku's relations with Jerusalem, with Tehran accusing Israel of using Azerbaijani territory against Iran. Sources indicate the hijab law provides Iran with an opportunity to condemn Azerbaijan's ties to Israel. Russia is identified as a third party involved in the social media attacks, with tensions stemming from Azerbaijan's regional ambitions in the Caucasus and its neutral stance on the war in Ukraine. Russia reportedly benefits from undermining Aliyev's domestic standing to limit his international maneuverability.