Beyond the Middle East: Azerbaijan Could Redefine Scope of Abraham Accords - Faith & Freedom News

Interfaith Diplomacy: Rabbis Push for Azerbaijan to Join the Abraham Accords

In a rare show of interfaith diplomacy, a coalition of distinguished rabbis has sent letters to U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for the inclusion of Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords. The appeal, spearheaded by Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Rabbi Eli Abadi—a senior rabbi in the UAE and close confidant of Jared Kushner—seeks to expand the historic framework that has redefined Middle Eastern diplomacy over the past few years.

The rabbis emphasize that while Arab nations that joined the Accords received significant political and economic incentives from the United States, Azerbaijan—a long-time strategic partner of Israel and a reliable ally in the Muslim world for over three decades—has been notably overlooked. Among the high-profile signatories is Rabbi Aryeh Ralbag, head of the rabbinical court of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and Canada, representing a broad coalition of both ultra-Orthodox and Zionist rabbis.

“Countries that joined the Abraham Accords received positive incentives and benefits in return for making peace with Israel. In contrast, Azerbaijan became a particularly reliable partner and true friend of Israel without any external influence,” the rabbis write in their letter. They advocate for repealing Section 907—a U.S. sanction restriction that limits American aid to Azerbaijan—as a gesture of recognition for its longstanding support and contributions to regional security.

Rabbi Hier, who spoke at President Trump’s inauguration in 2017 and was named America’s most influential rabbi by Newsweek, argued that including Azerbaijan would not only strengthen the Accords but also demonstrate that alliances based on mutual respect and cooperation can flourish regardless of religious or political differences. Rabbi Abadi added that Azerbaijan’s strategic importance as a central energy supplier to Israel and as a bridge between East and West makes it an ideal candidate for the Accords.

Highlighting Azerbaijan’s unique example of multicultural coexistence, the rabbis noted that the country, a secular state with a Shi’ite Muslim majority, has managed to foster an environment of respect and brotherhood toward its Jewish citizens. “Your policy and vision, Mr. President, are leading to revolutionary changes in the Middle East,” they asserted. “By including Azerbaijan—a pillar in Israel’s regional security and a proven loyal ally—we can expand and strengthen the Accords, ultimately establishing a more stable and peaceful region.”

The proposal comes at a time when strategic relations in the Middle East are being closely watched. Discussions over Azerbaijan’s potential inclusion have already sparked concern in Tehran, with Iranian state media highlighting the growing Israeli presence in Baku. Nonetheless, proponents of the proposal argue that Azerbaijan’s model of cooperation could serve as a blueprint for other Muslim-majority states looking to forge stronger ties with Israel.

Israel and US in Talks to Include Azerbaijan in Abraham Accords Framework

In a significant diplomatic development, Israel’s Prime Minister’s office announced on March 5th that Jerusalem is actively engaged in discussions with Washington to advance a three-way alliance involving Azerbaijan. This initiative could see Azerbaijan become the next country to be incorporated into the broader Abraham Accords framework.

“Azerbaijan is an important strategic ally of Israel in the Caucasus region, with relations encompassing cooperation in security, trade, technology, and energy sectors. Israel will continue to strengthen cooperation with Azerbaijan and the US, and will stand firmly against any attempt to undermine it,” the statement read, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Diplomatic Momentum Building

Just over a week after this announcement, on March 14th, Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of US President Donald Trump, arrived in Baku following a brief visit to Moscow. Sources familiar with Israeli-Azerbaijani relations revealed that coordination for this visit intensified after March 5th, when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to the trilateral partnership in the Knesset.

The potential integration of Azerbaijan into the Abraham Accords ecosystem has been a topic of discussion in numerous US and Israeli publications over the past month. This diplomatic initiative would expand the Accords beyond their current signatories, which include the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.

Beyond Traditional Parameters

Some skeptics have questioned the relevance of including Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords, arguing that these agreements were designed specifically for Arab countries that had previously been in conflict with Israel. However, proponents of the initiative note that Azerbaijan’s inclusion would not merely involve signing the Accords but would mean integrating the country into the institutional framework established for implementing these agreements.

Following the original signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, the Negev Forum was established in 2022 as a functional mechanism for implementation, bringing together the United States, Israel, the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, and Bahrain. The forum includes a structured institutional framework with working groups focusing on food security, water technologies, clean energy, tourism, healthcare, education, and regional security.

Strategic Benefits for All Parties

The initiative to include Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords framework could reshape the country’s perception in the United States, moving beyond the Armenian issue and the limited geopolitical scope of the South Caucasus.

The proposal also highlights a disparity in US policy: while other Muslim-majority countries that have signed the Abraham Accords receive political, military, and economic assistance from the US, Azerbaijan—which has been one of Israel’s most reliable allies in the Muslim world for decades—remains subject to US sanctions under Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. Israeli politicians and Jewish leaders are now calling on the Trump administration to repeal these sanctions, describing them as outdated and unjust.

The “Azerbaijani Model”

Perhaps most significantly, Azerbaijan’s approach to its relationship with Israel could serve as a model for other Muslim-majority countries considering joining the Abraham Accords. Unlike some Arab signatories that freeze regional partnership initiatives during Israeli-Palestinian tensions, Azerbaijan has consistently strengthened its partnership with Israel regardless of the state of Israeli-Palestinian relations, despite external pressures from Iran and Turkey.

If this “Azerbaijani model” becomes a prerequisite for future Abraham Accords members, it could enhance Azerbaijan’s strategic position not only in Israel and the US but also among Muslim-majority countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia that are seeking to advance their own diplomatic and lobbying efforts in Washington.

As the Trump administration reportedly plans to expand the Abraham Accords to include up to 14 Muslim-majority countries, including non-Arab nations, Azerbaijan’s potential inclusion represents a significant evolution in the scope and nature of these historic agreements.

As President Trump weighs the request, the growing chorus of influential voices from the Jewish community, bolstered by the diplomatic expertise of these prominent rabbis, may signal a significant turning point. If approved, Azerbaijan’s inclusion could mark a decisive step toward broadening the circle of peace partners in the Middle East and reinforcing the transformative legacy of the Abraham Accords.