Turan Research Center

In early November, Baku will host the General Assembly of the Conference of European Rabbis. The event will focus on the Abraham Accords, religious freedom, and the fight against antisemitism in Europe — topics that align well with Azerbaijan’s effort to present itself as a model of peaceful coexistence among different ethnic and religious groups. Unsurprisingly, Tehran could not let such symbolism go unchallenged. Recently, Iran’s leading media outlets have launched a wave of biased and provocative coverage against Azerbaijan, blending genuine geopolitical concerns with outright antisemitism. 

The most significant statement regarding the rabbis’ conference came from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s top advisor, the seasoned diplomat, Ali Akbar Velayati. He dubbed the gathering “surprising and regrettable” and accused Azerbaijan of “crossing religious boundaries” and “encroaching on the dignity of Shiism.” Velayati further linked the event to what he characterized as Azerbaijan’s broader alignment with the Abraham Accords and the pro-normalization trend among some Muslim-majority states in Central Asia. He characterized the initiative as a “senseless, anti-Islamic, and anti-humanitarian” step that, he warned, would ultimately backfire against Baku.

Read the full article on the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.

Alex Grinberg is a Senior Fellow at the Turan Research Center.