Netanyahu to make rare trip to Central Asia

The two-day tour, which is to begin on Tuesday, is the first by an Israeli prime minister to the region in a quarter century.

Members of the Islamic Party of Azerbaijan gathered in front of the country’s Foreign Ministry in Baku on Monday, venting their anger at Netanyahu’s planned visit to their country.

The Times of Israel has billed the trip as a vehicle to “bolster trade, [and] political support” with the two Muslim countries. 

Azerbaijan, which supplies 40 percent of Israel’s oil, is a notable trade partner of the regime. Baku has also maintained controversially strong military cooperation with Tel Aviv.

Azerbaijan shares an extensive border with Iran. On Monday, university students in Iran’s Azeri-speaking Ardabil Province held a rally to condemn the visit and Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians.  

The protesters chanted “down with Israel” and denounced the visit as an unwelcome inroad into a Shia Muslim country.