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Baku claims pressure worked
A senior Azerbaijani official said Israel halted efforts to advance recognition of the Armenian genocide after diplomatic pressure from Baku, which warned Jerusalem the move would harm its close relationship with Turkey.
“deep concern”
Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster Haber Global that the issue caused “deep concern” in Baku because Turkey’s interests represent a “red line” for Azerbaijan.
Hajiyev said Aliyev ordered an intensive diplomatic campaign after the issue of Israeli recognition of the 1915 Armenian massacres came up for discussion.
He claimed Israel “took Azerbaijan’s messages seriously” and that “further progress on the issue was prevented.”
Messages and Israel’s stance
Hajiyev said Azerbaijan conveyed to the Israeli side that adopting such a decision would be unfair and would not reflect historical reality, adding that it was not an appropriate step.
In the same account, he emphasized that “Wherever Turkey is not present, Azerbaijan is present, and wherever Azerbaijan is not present, Turkey is present,” describing the alliance between Baku and Ankara.
Israel has not officially responded to Hajiyev’s claims, but Sa’ar’s office said in a statement that “the Armenian people’s genocide was recognized unanimously in a decision by the Israeli government.”
The report also says Sa’ar presented the issue in parliament, but it was not brought to a vote, and Israel’s initiative to recognize the events as genocide was removed from the Knesset agenda after Azerbaijan’s pressure campaign.
Constitution talks and tensions
Radar.am reported that Hikmat Hajiyev said the process of adopting a new constitution in Armenia will soon begin and described it as a signal received by Azerbaijan.
“A referendum may be held”
He said “A referendum may be held,” and added that “When territorial claims to Azerbaijan are removed from the preamble to the Armenian constitution, we do not see any problems in signing a final peace treaty,” linking constitutional language to peace prospects.
The dispute over Israel’s recognition is described as coming amid growing tensions between Israel and Azerbaijan, despite years of close security and diplomatic cooperation.
The report says Azerbaijani officials expressed disappointment last month that Jerusalem failed to reciprocate Azerbaijan’s support since the outbreak of the war, and they criticized the timing of communications between the two governments.