The Israeli Government has approved a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to recognise the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. This is the first official recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the level of the Israeli Government.
According to Saar, the decision was taken “out of a sense of moral and historical duty”. “In my view, this is our moral duty as Jews and, of course, as the state of the Jewish people,” the minister stated.
On 25 June, Saar announced his intention to bring this matter before the Cabinet. The draft resolution stated that Israel recognises the Armenian Genocide and condemns any attempts to deny, minimise or distort the historical truth.
This refers to events that began in April 1915, during the final years of the Ottoman Empire – the predecessor of modern-day Turkey. Initially, in Constantinople – now Istanbul – hundreds of members of the Armenian diaspora were arrested, deported and killed. Subsequently, the Ottoman authorities proceeded to the systematic extermination of the Armenian population. According to historians’ estimates, approximately one and a half million people perished.
These events have been officially recognised by more than 30 states, including the US, the countries of the European Union, Canada and others.
Turkey does not deny the events that took place in 1915 involving the Armenian population, but rejects the term ‘genocide’ and considers the number of victims to be exaggerated.
Until now, Israel has refrained from official recognition, partly due to fears of damaging relations with Turkey and complicating its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan. Baku opposes recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the early 20th century and is currently in the process of normalising relations with Armenia following the return of Karabakh to its control.
Furthermore, Israeli political leaders have long avoided drawing parallels between this issue and the Holocaust. In 2018, the Knesset had already discussed the possibility of recognising the Armenian Genocide, but the government did not take a decision on the matter at that time.
Yerevan has not yet commented on Israel’s decision. Over recent years, the Armenian authorities have stated that the issue of recognising the Armenian Genocide is not a priority on the country’s official foreign policy agenda, according to Radio Free Europe’s Armenian service.