Aznavour Sings for Peace

TEL AVIV — French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour, who is giving five concert in Israel, said “he had come to sing for peace” during a press conference on Friday in Tel Aviv.

“I was offered to sing for peace, I could not refuse,” said the singer of 89 years, who lamented not being able to sing for the Palestinian public also.

“At first I told the organizers that if I go to Israel, I want to sing also in Palestine, but it was not done,” he told without giving further explanations.

Saying “I do not want to give messages and never talk politics,” Aznavour, who also has an Armenian citizenship, said he was “saddened that Israel has still not recognized the Armenian genocide,”

“There certainly are political reasons behind it. It pains me but I am confident that Israel will one day recognize our tragedy … You know, Jews are as Armenians. These are two people who love life. Without this incredible love for life, our two peoples would no longer exist. We survived so many tragedies …” he commented.

Charles Aznavour, was appointed in 2009 Ambassador of Armenia to Switzerland, where he lives, he has always defended the memory of the Armenian people.