Rabbis Summit in Baku Sparks Debate on Zionism in the Islamic World

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is reportedly set to host the 70th anniversary of the European Zionist Rabbis’ Conference in Baku this November, drawing nearly 500 Jewish religious leaders from around the world. According to reports, the event may also include official representatives from Israel.

Organized by the Conference of European Orthodox Rabbis, which represents over 700 Jewish leaders across Europe, the summit aims to discuss expanding the Abraham Accords, promoting religious freedom, and combating anti-Semitism. However, it marks the first time such a gathering will take place in a Muslim-majority country with an explicit focus on Zionist Judaism, a move that has already raised alarms across the Islamic world.

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor on international affairs to Iran’s Supreme Leader, described the decision as “deeply surprising and regrettable,” calling it “anti-Islamic” and warning that it threatens Muslim unity and the Palestinian cause. He suggested that the main goal of the conference is to expand the Abraham Accords and draw Azerbaijan—and potentially other Central Asian Muslim countries—into normalized relations with Israel.

Why the Summit Matters

1. Promoting Normalization with Israel
   By hosting the event under a religious banner, Israel aims to legitimize its presence in the Muslim world and pave the way for normalization, starting with Azerbaijan.

2. Expanding Cultural and Religious Influence
   The conference is seen as a strategic soft power move, seeking to normalize Zionist Judaism and reshape perceptions in Muslim-majority societies.

3. Geopolitical Significance
   Azerbaijan’s location near Iran, Russia, and Turkey makes it a strategic hub for Israel’s cultural and political influence in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.

4. A Propaganda Victory
   For Israel, a Muslim country hosting a Zionist religious event signals growing international legitimacy and bolsters Tel Aviv’s narrative of religious tolerance, despite underlying political aims.

5. A Warning to Other Muslim Nations
   The event sends a message to Central Asian Muslim states, demonstrating that normalization with Israel is possible and potentially inevitable.

Risks and Regional Consequences

Experts warn that the Baku summit could undermine Azerbaijan’s Islamic and Shi’a identity, create social and political divisions, and erode public trust in the government. It also risks isolating supporters of Palestine, providing Israel with a platform to further cultural and religious influence in the Islamic world.

If the conference proceeds without opposition, it could mark a dangerous turning point in normalizing Israel’s presence in Muslim-majority countries, threatening regional unity and the Palestinian cause. Analysts urge Muslim nations and communities to respond decisively to counter this move before it becomes a model for broader regional influence.