Ankara and Baku Condemn Israeli Government’s Decision; Armenia Sees No Need to Respond

ANKARA — Official Ankara, reacting to the Israeli government’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide, accused Israel’s leadership of “ignoring historical and legal realities and attempting to cover up its actions against Palestinians.”

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on June 28, which said in part:

“The Israeli government, which is carrying out systematic atrocities against the Palestinian people before the eyes of the whole world and is accused before the International Court of Justice of committing genocide against the people of Gaza, aims to cover up its own crimes through its political decision regarding the events of 1915.

“This malicious attempt, which ignores legal and historical realities, reflects the difficult situation in which Netanyahu and his accomplices find themselves, considering the arrest warrants issued against them by the International Criminal Court for crimes committed against Palestinians.

“Turkey will continue to work resolutely to put an end to Israel’s expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region and to hold Netanyahu’s government accountable for its crimes against civilians, particularly the Palestinian people.”

The decision has also raised serious concerns in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing Baku’s concerns.

According to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry, historical facts regarding the events of 1915 are being “distorted,” and turning the issue into the subject of a political decision is unacceptable.

The ministry said Israel’s move, in its assessment, does not contribute to reconciliation and mutual understanding, but instead deepens contradictions and hinders the establishment of lasting peace in the region.

The Armenian government does not intend to officially respond to the Israeli government’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this on June 29 during a conversation with journalists.

“We do not see a need to respond, because not entering into the weaponization of the Armenian Genocide issue stems from Armenia’s interests,” Pashinyan emphasized.