Video of Azerbaijanis Waving the Israeli Flag is Old

Misbar investigated the viral video and found the claim to be misleading.

A thorough reverse image revealed the video making the rounds to be older than claimed.

The Video Shows Azerbaijan Celebrating Nagorno-Karabakh Victory in 2020

Contrary to the circulating claim, the video is not recent, it dates back to November 2020. The footage features Azerbaijanis displaying the Israeli flag on the back of a bus during a celebratory event following their victory over Armenia, which came after days of conflict. 

Azerbaijani Jewish Assembly of America, an X user, shared the footage on November 10, 2020. The video's accompanying caption reads, "Celebrating #Azerbaijan’s victory in #Karabakh, ordinary #Azerbaijanis waive #Israeli flag in #Baku as a sign of appreciation for #Israel’s support to Azerbaijan’s struggle for #justice."

Another X user originally published the footage on the same date, showing Baku celebrations at the time.

Azerbaijan Celebrates Victory in 2020 

In the wake of the capture of a strategically important city from the Armenian forces, Azerbaijanis celebrated exuberantly on the streets of Baku. This celebration followed the signing of a Russian-brokered agreement late on November 9, 2020, aimed at bringing an end to the conflict at the time.

Meanwhile, in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, the signing of the truce plunged the city into a political crisis. Furious crowds stormed the Armenian parliament and vandalized government buildings immediately after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian announced the agreement on his Facebook page.

Nevertheless, the peace agreement negotiated by Moscow and signed in November resulted in the return of strategically significant portions of Nagorno-Karabakh, which included seven districts encircling the mountainous region that was once home to ethnic Azeris. This particular area has now transformed into a desolate no-man's land marked by deserted towns and dangerous minefields.

Azerbaijan-Israel Relations in 2020

According to The Jerusalem Post in 2020, a military partnership between Baku and Tel Aviv, through which Azerbaijan acquired drones and ammunition from Israel, allowed Azerbaijan to enhance its military capabilities and make progress in the Karabakh region.

The newspaper described Azerbaijan and Israel as strategic partners in both arms trade and energy trade. It also considered the raising of the Israeli flag in Baku as a sign of Azerbaijan's openness to Israel, noting the strategic significance of its location adjacent to Iran, which is Israel's enemy in the region.

Azerbaijan and Ethnic Armenians Announce Ceasefire After Military Offensive

Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh have declared a ceasefire just 24 hours after Azerbaijan initiated a military offensive. 

While Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, ethnic Armenians have held control over significant portions of the region for three decades, making it the focal point of one of the world's longest-standing conflicts.

During the initial 24-hour fighting that erupted on September 19, Azerbaijani forces reportedly made swift advancements. Subsequently, both Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan authorities announced a ceasefire, which was mediated by Russia.

The terms of the agreement specify the complete disarmament and dissolution of Karabakh's military forces. Discussions will now take place regarding the integration of the enclave into Azerbaijan, a critical development for Nagorno-Karabakh's 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

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