Azerbaijan will host the Zionist Rabbis Conference in Baku from November 3–6, 2025, under the auspices of President Ilham Aliyev.
The event—formally titled the Conference of Zionist Rabbis—comes as Israel’s war in Gaza continues, drawing growing criticism across the Muslim world.
The conference, previously planned for Sarajevo, was canceled earlier this year by Bosnian authorities following public opposition.
Now, Azerbaijan’s decision to host the Zionist Rabbis Conference has triggered debate over Azerbaijan–Israel relations, its foreign policy priorities, and its position within the Islamic world.
Prominent Religious Zionist leaders expected in Baku include:
- Rabbi Mosche Mondechai Farbstein
- Rabbi David Kohen
- Rabbi Asher Weiss
- Rabbi Kalman Meir Ber
- Rabbi David Yosef
- Rabbi Yaakov Shapira
- Rabbi Smuel Eliyahu
- Rabbi Malcolm Herman
- Rabbi Elie Lemmel
- Rabbi Daniel Rove
- Rabbi Naftali Schiff
- Rabbi Eliyahu Ilani
- Rabbi Tzachi Megnagy
Criticism over timing and symbolism
Observers and analysts say hosting a Zionist event in Baku during the Gaza war sends a sensitive political signal.
Many in the Muslim world view it as tacit approval of Israel’s actions, even as civilian casualties in Gaza continue to mount.
Critics highlight contradictions between Azerbaijan’s close alliance with Israel and its public solidarity slogans such as “Two States, One Nation.”
Commentators argue that Azerbaijan’s Israel policy increasingly reflects a pragmatic but risky balance—one that could alienate traditional partners in the Middle East.
Hosting a Zionist religious forum while Gaza faces a humanitarian disaster has been described by regional observers as politically tone-deaf and morally questionable.
Azerbaijan–Israel relations under scrutiny
For more than a decade, Azerbaijan’s alliance with Israel has been grounded in energy exports, security cooperation, and intelligence sharing.
The upcoming Zionist Rabbis Conference in Baku adds a new, religious-diplomatic layer to this relationship.
Analysts say the move aligns Azerbaijan with Israel’s regional diplomacy but complicates its image among Muslim nations.
Government-linked media in Baku frame the event as part of interfaith dialogue.
However, the absence of similar efforts addressing Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to draw moral criticism.
Balancing pragmatism and conscience
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy has long aimed to balance secular pragmatism with Muslim identity.
Yet the decision to welcome high-profile Zionist rabbis amid the Gaza conflict raises questions about moral responsibility and diplomatic credibility.
Whether Azerbaijan can maintain equilibrium between strategic interest and Islamic solidarity will be closely watched in the months ahead.
