AiBotTEL AVIV, ISRAEL – In a significant development, the Israeli government has approved a proposal from Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide. This move has been seen as a major breakthrough in Israeli-Armenian relations.
The decision was made on Tuesday at a cabinet meeting, where Israeli officials supported Saar’s proposal, which aims to amend the country’s law to acknowledge the 1915 massacre of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman forces, the precursor to modern-day Turkey.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has been under international pressure to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which the Turkish government has persistently disputed. Turkey, however, views the recognition as a direct challenge to its national identity and sovereignty.
Armenia, which has long sought official recognition of the genocide, welcomes the decision, stating that it is a major victory for historical truth and justice. Armenian officials have repeatedly emphasized that recognition of the genocide by Israel would further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who proposed the amendment to the Israeli cabinet, stated that Israel’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide was a matter of principle and a testament to its commitment to human rights and the defense of democracy.
“We must acknowledge the tragic events that occurred during World War I, and we must honor the memory of the victims and their families,” Saar said in a statement following the cabinet’s approval.
Turkey’s government response in Ankara has been swift and negative, with the Turkish Foreign Ministry issuing a strong-worded statement deeming the Israeli decision “unacceptable.” Turkish officials have long maintained that the historical record should reflect their country’s perspective on the events, which they describe as a “humanitarian tragedy” rather than a genocide.
Israel’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Turkey. However, analysts suggest that the approval may mark a shift in the Israeli government’s stance on Middle Eastern politics, with Israel increasingly seeking closer ties with regional nations and international partners.
The approval is seen as a significant diplomatic victory for the Israeli Foreign Ministry under Minister Saar, who has sought to strengthen Israeli ties with nations of the European Union, the Mediterranean, and the wider Middle East.