By KRIKOR KHODANIAN
The Israeli government has once again used recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a bargaining chip to counter Ankara, which has described the events taking place in Gaza as genocide.
In June, at the initiative of Israel’s Foreign Minister, the Israeli government unanimously approved a proposal to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, which the minister himself described as a “historic and moral obligation.” However, immorality prevailed over morality, and the proposal never even reached the Knesset for debate and ratification, on the grounds that Parliament had concluded its work and the country was preparing for new elections.
According to reports published in the Israeli press, the decision to withdraw the bill was the result of pressure exerted by Azerbaijan at the highest levels.
This is not the first time that Israel has dangled the prospect of recognizing the genocide before Ankara, only to back away from such a step. It is worth recalling a similar statement made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a year ago. During an interview with Armenian-American television host Patrick Bet-David, Netanyahu was asked why no Israeli prime minister had ever recognized the Armenian Genocide. He responded, “Well, I’m saying it now,” and on that occasion also claimed that the Israeli Parliament had recognized the fact of the genocide.
Netanyahu’s response, given under such circumstances and in such a manner, was not well received by Armenian circles. His interview also contained misinformation. The Israeli Knesset has never officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. Numerous attempts have been made to bring the issue before Parliament, but under pressure from the government, it has been removed from the agenda, despite repeated calls from many Jewish intellectuals and historians for Israel to officially recognize the Genocide.
Israeli-Turkish relations remain publicly tense and have become even more strained as a result of the military operations in Gaza. Although the two sides have traded accusations, there are suspicions that these actions are intended to mislead public opinion, while, in reality, the intelligence services of Israel and Turkey continue the cooperation they have maintained for many years. In recent years, these ties have evolved into a trilateral relationship, with Baku becoming one of its pillars and serving as an intermediary between Ankara and Jerusalem.
The Israeli government’s proposal to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide was met with almost complete indifference by Armenians. Armenia officially stated that it had nothing to say on the matter, while not a single diaspora organization welcomed the initiative. Subsequent developments demonstrated that this approach was correct and justified, and we came to reject the use of the issue of Armenian Genocide recognition by Turkey and Israel to advance their own political agendas.
Netanyahu and his country are deeply involved in military actions that have been condemned as war crimes, and it would be better for them to keep their distance from us. International recognition of the Armenian Genocide is already an established fact, and Israel’s exploitation of the issue is condemnable.
“MASSIS”
