Israel has formally recognised the Armenian genocide, in a move described domestically as historic and likely to further strain already tense relations with Turkey.
The decision was approved by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday, following a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, marking a major shift in official policy after decades of reluctance linked to regional considerations and ties with Ankara.
According to the government decision, Israel recognises the genocide committed against the Armenian people during the final years of the Ottoman Empire, based on a “moral and historical obligation”.
It also stresses that denial, minimisation or distortion of the historical facts surrounding the events must be condemned.
Sa’ar told the cabinet that “it is never too late to do the right thing”, presenting the recognition as a moral responsibility of the Israeli state.
Turkey rejects the term genocide for the events of 1915 and routinely opposes international recognition.
Until now, the issue had been raised repeatedly in Israel without becoming official government policy. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that he recognised the genocide personally, while a Knesset committee had also passed a resolution in favour.
Israel thus becomes the 35th country to formally recognise the Armenian genocide. Several other states have acknowledged it at parliamentary level but not through official government decisions.
Source: CNA
