Azerbaijan has condemned Israel’s decision to recognise the World War I-era killings of Armenians as genocide. Baku warned the move could damage bilateral ties and undermine regional reconciliation efforts. The dispute adds new strain to relations between two close strategic partners.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry described Israel’s decision as a matter of “serious concern” and urged the Israeli government to reconsider its position. The ministry said the recognition would deepen existing divisions rather than promote lasting peace and mutual understanding. Israel announced its recognition of the Armenian genocide on Sunday.
Armenia has long sought international recognition of the mass killings carried out under the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1917. Armenia says about 1.5 million Armenians were killed during that period. Türkiye rejects the genocide label, arguing that both Armenians and Turks died during World War I and disputes the death toll.
Israel and Azerbaijan maintain close defence and security cooperation, while Türkiye remains Azerbaijan’s closest regional ally. Previous Israeli governments avoided recognising the Armenian genocide to preserve ties with Türkiye. Relations between Israel and Türkiye have sharply deteriorated since the Gaza war, with Ankara repeatedly accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, an allegation Israel rejects.
The latest diplomatic dispute comes as Azerbaijan and Armenia continue efforts to finalise a comprehensive peace agreement after decades of conflict over Karabakh. Observers say the controversy could complicate regional diplomacy despite ongoing peace negotiations.