What are pros and cons of Azeri-Israeli military coop? - COMMENT

By Kamal Ali

An Israeli delegation led by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has arrived in Baku to attend an arms exhibition that opens today. Ya’alon is the first Israeli defense minister to visit Azerbaijan since the two countries established diplomatic relations 22 years ago.

The Israeli delegation was received by President Ilham Aliyev. Ya’alon and Aliyev had an exchange of views on military and technical cooperation, Azerbaijan’s state news agency Azartac said, without providing any details.

The Jewish guests also met Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov.

Military cooperation between Azerbaijan, a majority Shiite Muslim nation north of Iran, and the Jewish state has drawn criticism from Iran, Russia, Israel’s Arab neighbors and even Turkey, Azerbaijan’s closest ally. 

Among Azerbaijan’s neighbors, Georgia is the only country that remains indifferent to our military cooperation with Israel.

Armenia is not happy either but that does not bother Azerbaijan for obvious reasons. 

Do we really benefit from these ties? The harm that they cause to Azerbaijan is obvious: Four out of five of our neighbors are not happy, while Iran is doing dirty tricks against Azerbaijan. And Aliyev did not attend Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inauguration last month. 

So what are the benefits? Azerbaijan has upgraded its Russian-made T-72 tanks with advanced Israeli fire and control systems. We are also buying Israeli weapons, including drones, missile systems and radars. 

A few years ago, Azerbaijan started joint production of drones with an Israeli company. Yet, I think these benefits are outweighed by the resentment we cause in our immediate neighbors. 

On the other hand, do we really need these Israeli guns if we are not using them to liberate our territory that has been under Armenian occupation for more than 20 years? There is no war and I doubt there will be any.

Bakudaily.Az