Azerbaijan works to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey: "Have you lost your minds?"

Azerbaijan is working behind the scenes to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey, following a week of clashes that included an attack in Syria, Netanyahu's "Don't" statement to the Turks, and a Turkish arrest warrant against him. Azerbaijani President Aliyev initiated direct dialogue a year and a half ago, leading to a coordination mechanism in Syria. Now efforts are underway to revive it.

Azerbaijan is working behind the scenes to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey, Israeli sources confirm. The move comes after a week of severe tensions, highlighted by the attack on a base in Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "Don't" statement to the Turks, and the arrest warrant and "red notice" issued by the Turks against Netanyahu. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev initiated direct dialogue between Israel and Turkey a year and a half ago, in April 2025, when a Turkish delegation led by MIT intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and an Israeli delegation led by then-NSC head Tzachi Hanegbi held meetings in Baku under Aliyev's auspices. An operational coordination mechanism for the two countries in Syria was agreed upon, which functioned well for a time. Now there appears to be an effort to revive that coordination mechanism and renew dialogue to prevent miscalculation that could lead to escalation. An Azerbaijani official said: "Have you and Turkey lost your minds? You are our friends, and Turkey is also our friend. What will we do if you, God forbid, start fighting? That's why it's important to immediately reduce tensions." The Americans are also working behind the scenes, but in Israel there is a clear lack of trust in US envoy Tom Barak, and his statements in an interview led to an unusual response from Defense Minister Israel Katz. Therefore, Azerbaijan, which has already proven its ability to mediate between the countries, enjoys the trust of both. The Azerbaijanis, who are already sending humanitarian aid to Syria, are interested in normalization in the country and see it as an energy potential, so they have an interest in preventing conflict.