Lead
Israel's decision to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide has drawn criticism from Azerbaijan's Jewish community, whose chief rabbi has written to the Knesset urging lawmakers not to advance recognition, and from Israeli foreign policy experts who warn of diplomatic consequences.
In a letter sent Monday to Ofir Katz, chairman of the Likud faction, Rabbi Shneur Segal, Chief Rabbi of the Ashkenazi Jewish Community of Azerbaijan, wrote on behalf of the Jews of Baku and the Jewish community, asking that their voice be heard before the Knesset advances recognition of what he referred to as the 'Armenian Genocide.'
Coverage Comparison
The Jerusalem Post reported on the letter on Wednesday, detailing Rabbi Segal's appeal and his description of the Jewish community's deep ties to Azerbaijani society and to Israel. A separate Jerusalem Post report on Thursday covered the criticism from Azerbaijan's Jewish community and from Prof. Efraim Inbar, president of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), who described the decision as 'a childish and petty mistake.'
Both reports come in the wake of the Israeli government's vote on Sunday to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide, a move that has drawn attention to Israel's regional relationships and the potential fallout.
Key Claims
Rabbi Segal wrote that the Jewish community forms an inseparable part of Azerbaijani society and has, for generations, enjoyed security, respect, and full religious freedom. He highlighted that in Baku, Jews can walk openly wearing a kippah without fear, which he said demonstrates the depth of friendship and respect between the Azerbaijani and Jewish peoples. He added that the community is deeply connected to Israel, with most members having relatives there.
The Armenia–Azerbaijan dispute is one of the longest-running conflicts in the post-Soviet world, with the two countries having fought for nearly 35 years over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory but historically inhabited mainly by Armenians. The estimated death toll of the Armenian Genocide is around 1 million to 1.5 million Armenians.
According to sources familiar with the matter reported by the Jerusalem Post, Azerbaijan's ambassador to Israel left the country after Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced plans to advance recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The reason for the ambassador's departure has not been officially disclosed, nor has it been officially confirmed whether he was called back to Baku for consultations.
The leaders of Azerbaijan's three Jewish communities also appealed to Knesset members not to support initiatives recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The letter was signed by Milikh Yevdayev, chairman of the Mountain Jewish Community of Baku, Alexander Sharovsky, chairman of the Ashkenazi Jewish Community of Baku, and Rabbi Zamir Isayev, chairman of the Sephardic Jewish Community of Baku.
Perspectives
Israeli government: The Israeli government voted on Sunday to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide. The decision has been characterized as an attempt to "hit the Turks," according to Prof. Efraim Inbar.
Azerbaijan's Jewish community: Rabbi Shneur Segal and the leaders of Azerbaijan's three Jewish communities have appealed to the Knesset not to advance recognition, citing the potential impact on the Jewish community and their deep ties to both Azerbaijan and Israel.
Prof. Efraim Inbar, JISS: Described the decision as "a childish and petty mistake" that could harm Azerbaijan, which he called a "strategic asset" for Israel. He argued that foreign policy should be driven by present-day national interests rather than historical revenge.