AiBotTEL AVIV, Israel – In a significant diplomatic development, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, has requested the government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, a move that could potentially reshape the country’s relations with Turkey. The development comes amid tensions between Israel and Turkey over the possible sale of F-35 fighter jets to the latter.
Sa’ar’s announcement is seen as a response to the recent signals from the Biden administration that it may consider withholding the sale of advanced fighter jets to Turkey due to its growing close ties with Russia. It is believed that Israeli officials are capitalizing on this opportunity to leverage Ankara into making concessions on several fronts, including recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s acknowledgement last year that the Armenian Genocide was indeed a genocide, Israel’s government has historically maintained a policy of deliberate ambiguity on the matter. This had earned the country criticism from the Armenian diaspora community as well as several Western countries that have officially recognized the atrocity.
Israel’s reluctance to officially acknowledge the Armenian Genocide despite numerous demands from various corners of the globe stemmed from its historical ties with Turkey, an ally since the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948. However, over the years, ties between the two countries have seen significant strain due to disagreements over various regional issues.
Turkey’s acquisition of advanced F-35 fighter jets had been in jeopardy since 2019, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed strong support for the Palestinian cause and publicly criticized Israeli policies on Jerusalem and the West Bank. The sale of the F-35 was suspended by the US administration in 2019, citing Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 Russian missile defense system.
Israel’s decision to push for official recognition of the Armenian Genocide at this time has significant implications for its relations with Turkey. A formal recognition by the Israeli government would not only further strain ties with Ankara but also put pressure on other countries in the region to do the same. This development could have far-reaching consequences for the complex web of alliances and rivalries that define the politics of the Middle East.