Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has sharply criticised Israel after its cabinet backed a move to formally recognise the Armenian Genocide, accusing the government of Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to deflect attention from the war in Gaza.
In a statement, the ministry said Israel was seeking to “cover up its own crimes” through what it described as a political decision on the events of 1915.
“The Israeli government, which is carrying out systematic persecution of the Palestinian people before the eyes of the whole world and is facing proceedings before the International Court of Justice in a case concerning the crime of genocide against the people of Gaza, is trying to cover up its own crimes through the political decision it adopted regarding the events of 1915,” the statement said.
Ankara described the Israeli move as a “malicious attempt” that, in its view, disregards legal and historical facts.
The ministry also linked the decision to the pressure facing Netanyahu and members of his government, saying it exposed what it called their political deadlock.
“This malicious attempt, which ignores legal and historical facts, reveals the impasse of Netanyahu and his accomplices, against whom arrest warrants have been issued as part of the International Criminal Court investigation into crimes committed against Palestinians,” it said.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said Ankara would continue efforts to stop what it called Israel’s “expansionist and destabilising policies” in the region.
“Turkey will continue to work decisively to end Israel’s expansionist and destabilising policies in the region and to ensure that the Netanyahu government is held legally accountable for crimes committed against civilians, particularly against the Palestinian people,” the statement added.
Israel’s cabinet approved the recognition move on Sunday, but the step still requires approval by the Knesset.
Source: CNA
