Israel Halts Armenian Genocide Recognition Amid Azerbaijani Diplomatic Pressure

A senior official in Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's office revealed that Israel stopped advancing a parliamentary initiative to recognize the 1915 events as the Armenian genocide following diplomatic pressure from Baku. Khakmat Hajiyev, Aliyev's foreign policy aide, told Haber Global that Turkey's interests, which Azerbaijan considers a "red line," were central to the concern over Israel's potential recognition. He said President Aliyev ordered an intensive diplomatic campaign to convey to Israel that such a decision would be unjust and historically inaccurate. According to Hajiyev, Israel took Azerbaijan's messages seriously, leading to the suspension of the initiative and its removal from the Knesset agenda.

Hajiyev emphasized the close alliance between Azerbaijan and Turkey, stating that where one is absent, the other is present, and both will respond firmly to any actions harming their interests. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar presented the recognition decision in the Knesset, but it was not brought to a vote and was withdrawn from the agenda. Israeli officials have not officially responded to Azerbaijan's claims. Sources familiar with Israel-Azerbaijan relations said Baku viewed the initial move as crossing a "red line," expressing deep disappointment over the decision and its implications, especially given Azerbaijan's support for Israel since the outbreak of the war.

Contrary to impressions, Sa'ar only informed his Azerbaijani counterpart after the decision was public, which Azerbaijan perceived as a fait accompli rather than a dialogue. Sa'ar's office responded that the Armenian genocide was unanimously recognized by the Israeli government and that the decision stands unchanged.