Israel Cabinet Considers Formal Recognition of Armenian Genocide

TEL AVIV, Israel – Israel’s Cabinet, on Sunday, unanimously endorsed a proposal to formally recognize the violence inflicted upon Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as a genocide.

The move, which still awaits parliamentary approval, underscores the growing strain in Israel‑Turkey relations. Ankara has long lobbied against official recognition of the 1915 Armenian deaths, whereas Armenians worldwide have persistently advocated for acknowledgment.

Scholars estimate that approximately 1.5 million Armenians were killed during that period, an event widely regarded by historians as the first genocide of the twentieth century. The Turkish government denies the genocide designation, claiming the figures are inflated and that the killings resulted from civil unrest.

Israel historically avoided addressing the issue out of concern for Turkish relations, but tensions have intensified over the past two decades, particularly amid the Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran conflicts.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who brought the proposal to the Cabinet, stated: “Despite the abundant and incontrovertible historical evidence, the Armenian genocide remains subject to institutionalized denial and minimization, especially by the Turkish government, which engages in a deliberate rewriting of history.”

Saar noted that Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have previously referred to the Armenian violence as genocide, yet formal recognition by the Knesset never materialized.

He added, “It is never too late to do the right thing.” By recognizing the genocide, Israel would be fulfilling a moral and historical duty.

Leading up to the decision, Israel had cited 32 countries—among them the United States, Syria, and Lebanon—that have classified the violence as genocide. The timeline for the subsequent parliamentary vote remains unclear, and Turkey has yet to issue an immediate response.

Turkey described the move as a “politically motivated” step intended to distract from its own actions against Palestinians.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry accused the Israeli government of systematically persecuting Palestinians while attempting to deflect attention from alleged crimes, suggesting that Israel is “trying to cover up its own crimes.”

The once‑close alliance between Israel and Turkey deteriorated following the rise of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, prompting Israel to reassess its position.

Israel faces recurring accusations—from the United Nations and Turkey—that its operations in Gaza constitute genocide. The Israeli state, founded in the wake of the Holocaust, denies these allegations.

The war commenced after Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 73,000 deaths, roughly half of them women and children. Israel maintains it does not target civilians and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

Last week, a UN‑appointed panel of independent experts accused Israel of deliberately targeting children in Gaza, a claim Israel labeled a “libelous sham.”

Source link