Annual European Rabbis Conference in Baku Canceled Over Security Concerns!
The annual European Rabbis Conference, scheduled for November 4 – 6 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, has been canceled due to security concerns. The event was expected to host around 600 participants, including rabbis, religious leaders, and political and social figures from Israel, Europe, the United States, and several other countries.
Organized at the invitation of the Azerbaijani government and backed by European Jewish organizations, this was set to be the first major gathering of European rabbis in a Muslim-majority country—predominantly Shiite. Notably, a previous Jewish conference planned in Baku was also canceled in 2023 following the Al-Aqsa Storm operation against Israel.
The cancellation appears to stem from a combination of security, political, and social factors. It likely reflects regional political pressures, public backlash over Baku’s ties with Tel Aviv, and potential threats targeting Israeli-linked figures in the city.
The abrupt decision to cancel the high-profile event, despite significant investment, signals the Aliyev government’s strategic calculation regarding the risks and regional implications involved.
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