The issue of recognizing the alleged "Armenian genocide" being brought up in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had raised various questions about the future of Azerbaijan-Turkey-Israel relations. However, the subsequent failure to advance the initiative and its de facto removal from the agenda further actualized discussions about the geopolitical factors behind this decision.
In a statement to Modern.az, Israeli political scientist Igor Roytapel stated that Azerbaijan-Israel relations have undergone a very serious test:
"I currently have a personal conclusion. However, my findings are based on a deep analysis of facts, confirmed information, and data provided by direct participants in the processes taking place in the Israeli political elite. Let's be frank. In geopolitics, as in big business, interests, not emotions, play a decisive role. What happened around the issue of recognizing the alleged "Armenian genocide" in Israel once again confirmed a truth: Azerbaijan-Israel relations underwent a very serious test. And it turned out that these relations are so strong that no factor can shake them. Let's remember why the Israeli government brought up this issue at all. In fact, this step had no connection with Azerbaijan beforehand. It was only a step taken by the Israeli leadership to respond to the statements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In Israel, they believed that Baku would correctly assess the situation. However, the issue was extremely sensitive for Azerbaijan, for Jews of Azerbaijani origin living in Israel, and for the Jewish community in Azerbaijan.
After Israeli public activists, led by Pavel Yelizarov, and representatives of the Jewish community took the initiative and appealed to the Knesset and the government, Israeli politicians immediately understood how sensitive this issue was. They understood that this topic touched the feelings of one of their closest and most reliable partners, Azerbaijan."
According to the political scientist, the Israeli government and Knesset, correctly assessing the current situation, promptly stopped the process and completely froze the issue, showing respect for their partner:
"Currently, that initiative is blocked and is not intended to be advanced. The Israeli political system demonstrated its maturity and ability to make timely correct decisions for the sake of strategic interests with this decision. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for Israel, an important oil supplier, and one of the main allies in the field of security. For this reason, maintaining mutual trust was considered a top priority. At the same time, reality must also be taken into account. Israel is a parliamentary republic, not a presidential republic. Here, the government does not make all decisions alone. The final word always belongs to the Knesset. That is why it is not possible to say with one hundred percent certainty that this issue will never be returned to in the future. Parliamentary elections will be held in Israel in the near future. It is not yet possible to predict what the results of the elections will be, what position the new government or the new convocation of the Knesset will take on this issue. If the current ruling coalition remains in power, it is highly likely that this issue will remain on the furthest shelf. Because the current government has already drawn the necessary conclusions from this issue. However, if there is a change of power, the opposition may bring this initiative back to the agenda through ministries or put it up for discussion in parliament. Internal political processes in Israel are always dynamic."
I. Roytapel emphasized that the main conclusion drawn from this event is positive overall:
"Tel Aviv's actions, Baku's reaction, the activity of the Jewish community, and the subsequent decisions of the Israeli authorities showed that Azerbaijan-Israel relations are deep, mature, and truly strategic.
Both sides emerged from this difficult test with honor. Israel heard Azerbaijan's concerns in time, prevented the controversial initiative, and demonstrated that the friendship between Azerbaijan and Israel is not just statements written on paper. These relations are a real strategic partnership that can withstand any geopolitical test."
