TEL AVIV, Israel — Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently struggling with coalition talks. Among other things, it is still unclear who will lead Israel’s diplomacy in the coming years and what the guidelines are for Israel’s new foreign policy. Thus, with public attention focused on these talks, the decision by Azerbaijan’s parliament last Friday to open an embassy in Israel received little media coverage.

Israel and Azerbaijan have entertained diplomatic relations for three decades. Israel has an embassy in Baku, but Azerbaijan has no embassy in Israel. The decision to open one is clearly a major diplomatic achievement for outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid.

Lapid was quick to welcome this new development, saying that “it reflects the deep relationship between the two countries. This move is the result of the Israeli government’s efforts to build strong diplomatic bridges with the Muslim world.”

This was echoed by Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who tweeted on Nov. 20 that he spoke with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Zakir Hasanov, thanking him personally for this important decision and for his efforts to advance the two countries’ partnership over the last few years.