It came as no surprise that the Israeli Knesset on Wednesday, once again, rejected a bill to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide in vote of 41 against and 28 for.
This iteration of the bill was introduced by chairman of the opposition Yesh Atid Party, Yair Lapid who said, “There is no reason that the Knesset, which represents a nation that went through the Holocaust, shouldn’t recognize the Armenian Genocide and have a remembrance day for it.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said a parliamentary delegation was sent to Yerevan to participate in the 100th anniversary event, but will not take an official stance on the matter, “in light of its complexity and diplomatic repercussions, and because it has a clear political connection.”
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein called on the government in 2015 to change its stance, and in 2016 the Knesset Education Committee recognized the Genocide.
However, the chairman of the Armenian National Committee of Jerusalem Hagop Sevan was more optimistic on a possible future recognition of the Genocide by Israel saying he had no doubt that sooner or later the Jewish State will recognize the events of 1915 as Genocide.
“The bill was introduced without our initiative, unlike before when as a result of our efforts the opposition Meretz party initiated the effort,” explained Sevan in an interview with Armenpress.
“Yair Lapid announced his intentions to submit such a bill several months ago, in some sense taking into account the deterioration of Israeli-Turkish relations,” added Sevan who explained that the political climate in the country involving corruption charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have played a role in the legislature’s decision. Official corruption charges were filed against the Israeli leader on Tuesday.
Sevan explained that Lapid, who spearheaded the latest recognition effort, is a witness in the Netanyahu case.
Hello from Turkey. This time I was surprised that the Knesset rejected the bill. And, it is upsetting.
I am among the small minority of Turks (maybe only 15-20 percent ? Just my wild guess) who think that the Turkish government should admit to the genocide and then formally apologise.
Am I hopeful that this will happen ? Sadly no.
I am sure most of you have been following the political stuff about Turkey. Democracy, human rights, secularism and many other things have been suffering here in Turkey in recent years, especially since about 3 years ago. And, there seems to be almost no hope that things will get better anytime soon.
Love and regards from Turkey,
Cem
and who is to wonder why the israelis have few friends if many at all-outside their own culture- we do not need them but they again show they are no friend to most
who cares, it makes Armenians stronger. It’s sad that 300,000 Armenians were killed in WW2 to save them.
This is proof that the enemosity between Israel and Turkey is pure theatre, Turkey is doing the dirty job in Syria and in the Arab world, and in return Israel compensates with inteligence and economy.
Turkey is very smart, They’ve been milking Russia for about 200 years with their politics
How is it possible for the Jews, who have so many good qualities , to have so many bad qualities as well?
For them it’s business as usual, they don’t give a f..k about values, they don’t give a damn thing about the Holocaust neither, it’s a good way to usurp Palestinain land and justify their brutality in Palastine while milking the US, EU and the worl communtity at large, they both understand each other, Turkey helps Israel to keep Palestinian land, Israel helps Turkey to keep Armenian and Kurdish land.
most countries lack humanity only self interest that is all i can say
I think that there could be 2 reasons. Well, both of them are bad enough.
1) Israel-Turkey relations are possibly not as bad as it seems, and definitely not as bad as Erdogan has been making it appear. It is possible the two countries have been making secret deals about many issues. Dirty deals.
2) Israel wants the term ‘genocide’ to be used exclusively for the Holocaust.
Maybe the combination of these 2.
And finally, again, as a Turk, I want to say that I am sad and upset that Turkey keeps denying the genocide.
Love/regards,
Cem
Since aparent enemosity economical realtions between the 2 have skyrocketed, in NEWS: Turkey and Israel: Animosity ends when it comes to money http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-and-israel-animosity-ends-when-it-comes-to-money/a-41766113
No surprise…
Israel should have been the 1st but it might instead be the “last” nation in the world recognizing the Armenian Genocide..