Story perspectives

Herzog Meets Bahrain, Aliyev in Baku Ahead Vote

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 2:05 PM UTC · How we work

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Headscarf Ban Protests

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Bahrain foreign minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku during CICA summit on 14 October 2026.
The visit coincided with Azerbaijan’s recent school headscarf ban, sparking protests and highlighting domestic religious-rights tensions.
Herzog flew on Azerbaijan Airlines Dreamliner J222, named “Shusha,” crossing Turkish airspace despite Ankara’s ban.
His inspection of voting procedures at Israel’s Baku embassy urged citizens to vote on October 27.

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Key Oil Supplier

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Bahrain’s minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku at CICA summit on 14 October 2026.
The visit underscored Azerbaijan’s willingness to host Israel and enable travel despite Turkey’s ban on Israeli aircraft.
Herzog praised Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and sent wishes to Bahraini people.
Rabbi Zamir Isayev said Azerbaijan supplies a significant share of Israel’s crude oil imports.

History

Historical Context

In 1992, Israel and Azerbaijan formally established diplomatic relations, marking the first post-Soviet partnership between Jerusalem and Baku. By 2009, Israeli Energy Ministry reported that Azerbaijan supplied roughly 10 % of Israel’s crude oil, amounting to 1.2 million barrels monthly. Today, President Isaac Herzog’s October 2026 Baku meeting with Bahrain’s Abdullatif Al-Zayani and President Ilham Aliyev mirrors the 1992 pact, as Israel uses Azerbaijani airspace despite Turkey’s 2024 ban. The enduring Israel-Azerbaijan partnership therefore shapes Middle-East energy routes and may pressure Turkey to renegotiate aviation restrictions in the coming years.

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Headscarf Ban Protests

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Bahrain foreign minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku during CICA summit on 14 October 2026.
The visit coincided with Azerbaijan’s recent school headscarf ban, sparking protests and highlighting domestic religious-rights tensions.
Herzog flew on Azerbaijan Airlines Dreamliner J222, named “Shusha,” crossing Turkish airspace despite Ankara’s ban.
His inspection of voting procedures at Israel’s Baku embassy urged citizens to vote on October 27.

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