Tel-Chai Nation

Armenia's deputy foreign minister paid a visit to Israel this week:

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Vahan Kostanyan arrived in Israel on Tuesday for a series of meetings aimed at exploring the possibility of turning a new page between the two nations.

Nevertheless, behind the diplomatic contacts lie deep disagreements and sensitivities that continue to shape the bilateral relationship.

Central to the agenda is the TRIPP project - a transport corridor concept originally promoted by Azerbaijan that has recently received public diplomatic support from President Donald Trump and several American political figures.

Jerusalem views this as an opportunity to examine regional cooperation alongside a measured rapprochement with Yerevan, which maintains close ties with Iran.

However, alongside the desire to advance joint projects, several key issues continue to cast a shadow over relations.

Antisemitism and the Azerbaijan factor

Reports of vandalism against the Jewish center and synagogue in Yerevan, including arson attempts and hate graffiti, have surfaced in recent years. According to sources in the local Jewish community, some of those involved described their actions as a protest against Israeli arms sales to Azerbaijan.

Concurrently, an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) poll found a high rate of antisemitic attitudes among adults in Armenia. However, local community representatives emphasize that Jewish religious life continues freely and that authorities do not pursue a hostile policy toward them.

For officials in Jerusalem, the disparity between official reassurances and the attacks on the ground remains a lingering concern. [...]

The Iranian connection

In the regional arena, Armenia’s ties with Iran remain a central factor in its relationship with Jerusalem. Due to its geographic isolation, Yerevan relies on Iran for trade and energy routes.

Among other things, a "gas-for-electricity" agreement has been in place for years and has been extended until 2030. Bilateral trade volume has reached approximately $700 million annually in recent years, with Armenia aiming to cross the $3 billion threshold.

Western publications, including mentions in OFAC-related documents, have pointed to possible Iranian use of Armenia for sanction-evasion logistics. Last year, opposition reports surfaced regarding a potential $500 million arms deal, alleging the provision of Iranian Shahed drones to Yerevan. While the Armenian government officially denied these claims, the sensitivity surrounding the Tehran connection continues to be a significant factor in the Israeli approach to Armenia.

Yes, this is very disturbing and serious, and Armenia's government is doing something very offensive by spending taxpayer money for buying anything from Iran. Yet even when it comes to Israel, they're doing something terribly wrong by providing any kind of weaponry to Azerbaijan. And if both sides really want to improve relations, diplomatic or otherwise, that's why they have to reevalute their connections with Islamist sources, period. There's only so much Israel could've done on its part years ago to minimize the damage, yet failed to do, and that's hurt relations with a country that could have some good allies available till this day.

Since this subject has come about, it should also be noted that propagandist Rachel Avraham, quite a whitewasher of Azerbaijan's Islamism already as it is, recently published another item supposedly concerned about the Muslim Brotherhood, and then she demolishes whatever impact she supposedly wants to convey with the following:

Numerous reports from intelligence agencies and parliamentarians indicate that the Muslim Brotherhood incites violence, encourages radicalization, and recruits young people to participate in conflicts in Africa and Asia (Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh). The Muslim Brotherhood does not represent true Islam but supports extremist ideologies and networks. Prominent European experts and human rights defenders delivered inspiring speeches in front of the International Criminal Court, calling for a ban on the Muslim Brotherhood movement, which is showing its global threat to peace and security.

Well, talk about insulting people's intellects! I guess she's not a fan of Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer's research either, huh? And it won't be shocking if Avraham's not particularly concerned about NYC's new Muslim mayor either. What Avraham's written strongly suggests she's never read the koran, or she'd know what sort of horrific verses are published inside it. This is one of the leading reasons I cannot stand Avraham, who's done more harm than good to relations with Israel and Armenia as a result of her apologia not just for Azerbaijan, but also for the Religion of Peace. Why do any news sources keep hiring her?

Labels: anti-semitism, Armenia, Christianity, dhimmitude, iran, islam, Israel, jihad, Judaism, Knesset, misogyny, Moonbattery, political corruption, racism, sexual violence, terrorism, war on terror