Azerbaijan Condemns Israel's Recognition of the Armenian Genocide

Azerbaijan has criticized Israel's decision to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, marking a rare disagreement between the two close allies.

In a statement issued on Monday, Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "serious concern" over the Israeli government's decision, arguing that interpreting the events of 1915 through a political resolution lacks a solid legal and academic foundation.

The ministry stated that reducing a complex historical issue to a political decision is unacceptable and does not contribute to reconciliation or mutual understanding. Instead, it warned that such a move could deepen divisions and undermine fragile peace efforts, urging Israel to reconsider its decision.

Azerbaijan remains one of Israel's strongest regional partners, with extensive cooperation in trade, energy, and defense.

On Sunday, the Israeli government voted to officially recognize the Armenian genocide following a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. After the vote, Sa'ar stated that "it is never too late to do the right thing," describing the events that occurred more than a century ago as a historical tragedy that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.5 million Armenians and the destruction of a rich cultural heritage.

While dozens of countries and international institutions recognize the Armenian genocide, Turkey continues to reject the classification, arguing that the events of 1915 occurred within the context of World War I and do not constitute genocide.

Azerbaijan's position aligns closely with Turkey's stance and is also influenced by its longstanding conflict with Armenia, particularly over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.

In 2023, Azerbaijan regained full control of the territory through a military operation, leading to the displacement of much of the region's Armenian population and the dissolution of the local Armenian administration.

According to Azerbaijan, describing the events of 1915 as genocide is a political narrative promoted by Armenia, while Baku maintains that the label lacks sufficient historical and legal consensus.

As of 2026, 32 UN member states, including the United States, Canada, Russia, and Germany, as well as the Vatican and the European Parliament, have officially recognized the Armenian genocide.