Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan gave what can be deemed as one of the most resolute responses by Yerevan to the continued arm sales by Israel it Azerbaijan.
“For Israel, it’s just trade, but for us, it’s death,” Mnatsakanyan told Israeli journalist Yossi Melman during an interview, which was published in the Jerusalem Post on Friday.
“Israel’s arms trade is a weapon of death for our people. We have been witnessing the use of such weapons against our people. We have losses because of your weapons that are used against us. We are a security conscious nation and are highly confident in our capacity to defend ourselves, and you will understand very well what that means,” Mnatsakanyan told Melman, adding that Israel’s relations with Azerbaijan, including selling of weapons to Baku “remains an issue of great concern for us on several counts.”
“At the same time,” he said, “we are dedicated to developing peace and security in our region. The arms race in our region does not contribute to building peace and security.”
“We are very insistent that building relations with one partner will not be at the expense of another partner. But we also expect that all our partners will do the same. We are also very sensitive to the sensitivities of our partners,” added Mnatsakanyan.
On the issue of Israel’s refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide, Mnatsakanyan placed the onus directly on Israel for failing to advance justice and humanity.
“It’s not a matter for me to be surprised. I represent a nation that still faces the pressure of justice denied over 105 years. My people are victories [sic] because we were supposed to be wiped off the face of the earth.”
“The question of denied justice is about humanity. It is for Israel to decide whether to recognize [the Armenian genocide] or not. It is not about Armenia, it is about Israel. It is our collective duty nowadays to reduce the risk of genocide and atrocities,” said Mnatsakanyan.
The foreign minister sounded upbeat about advancing relations between Armenia and Israel, citing the many common attributes that drive both nations. Recently, Armenia signaled that it would open an embassy in Israel.
“Our two peoples have so much in common: suffering, rich histories and cultures,” said Mnatsakanyan.
“We have a great history and civilization. We have an enormous sense of national identity and pride, so we can work together in so many fields of economy, agriculture, hi-tech, tourism, direct flights, health culture, education and so on and so forth,” added the foreign minister.
Israel has never been a friend to Armenia or Armenians. Mnatsakanyan is being a diplomatic diplomat by putting it that way. Israel’s arm sales are not just about business.
VERY WELL SAID MR. MNATSAKANYAN, UNFORTUNELLY ISRAEL LIKES TO DEAL WITH THE DEVIL WHEN IT COMES TO ARMS SALES WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT TOO MUCH FROM ISRAEL THEY DO NOT CARE WHO THEY SELL WEAPONS TOO.I AM SURE THEIR IS A LOT OF DECENT ISRAELIS THAT DO WANT TO SELL WEAPONS TO AZERBAIJAN,THEY SHOULD PUT PRESSURE ON THEIR GOVERNMENT
For us, it should be tantamount to a declaration of war. How would they like it if Armenia sold weapons to their adversaries? Their entire lobbying group would get US Congressional resolutions declaring Armenia a terrorist state along with financial sanctions and/or embargoes.
I AM SURE THEIR ARE A LOT OF ISRAELIS THAT DO NOT WANT TO SELL WEAPONS TO AZERBAIJAN ,THEY SHOULD PUT PRESSURE ON THEIR GOVERNMENT
What’s wrong with the Armenian foreign policy vis a vis Israel whether it’s the former foreign minister or the current one? They both desperately want good relations with the Zionist state which is committing genocide against the helpless Palestinians. What happened to our moral compass expecting the world to recognize our genocide and yet remaining silent about the genocide being committed by Israel against Palestinians? Israel grabbed part of the Armenian quarters in Jerusalem without the consent of the church. Israel keeps annexing Palestinian lands by building illegal colonies. Israel is the last colonial power in the world looking for more expansion in the hope of creating “Eretz Israel”, Grand Israel. Knowing all of these terrible facts about the Zionist state why did successive governments in Armenia want good relations with the Zionists? Please advise!
I agree with you, besides why would Armenia have good relations with an evil government like Israel, better have Israel as an enemy than as a friend, NO THANKS we don’t want to exchange Embassies, these scumbags can foul the world with mostly fabricated lies and keep milking hardly earned American , EU, tax payers money, Israel should be considered as a partner in the crime and put them at the same level as Turkey. REMEMBER THE converted Turks (DEUNMA TURKS)?
Well said! Preaching about morality and recognition , while watching it occur live in front of our eyes and not voice outrage is total nonsense and utter hypocrisy! By keeping silent is excepting the Zionist Ideology, we as people do not see anyone as GOYIM , we don’t want slaves and servants for us , what we need to do get our morality back .
I am sorry to point out this but what is Israel doing in Armenia since it has not endorsed the Genocide just like the U S.
We have waited more than a hundred years for the United States government to recognize our genocide, are we willing to wait for another millennium. It is either now or never. Be sure of that.
FOR ISRAEL THERE ISTEREST COMES FIRST.JUSTICE IS NOT IMPORTANT?
You are right, Justice is their enemy, fabricated lies and keep milking hardly earned tax payers money is their priority.
How about Armenia selling arms to the Palestinians .
Not only to Palestinians, every corner of the world where they have interest, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia ….. you name it
For you “it’s death” because you are a bunch of cowards and incompetent politicians who do not know how to protect the rights and security of Armenia and its citizens. Another joke of a politician from Armenia who knows nothing else but to kiss ass and beg instead of taking care of business. Azerbaijan just shot and wounded soldiers in Armenia, not Artsakh. What was the response to that except for sitting on your asses and laying your eggs? That’s Israel’s fault too? Bunch of IDIOTS!!!
@ Zartir Lao: Take breath, do not underestimate Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan intelligence.
Don’t expect the Apartheid State of Israel to ever recognize the Armenian Genocide while they are currently engaged in genocidal activities towards the Palestinians. And the Zionists want to promote the idea that the Holocaust was the only genocide ever because maintaining a status of permanent victimhood gives them excuses for their genocidal behavior and it’s the basis for their screaming of “antisemitism” at any criticism of the Apartheid State of Israel.
“resolute response”? I don’t think so! Resoluteness would be to bring down or otherwise seize a weapons shipment on its way to Baku and wait for Jerusalem (or London or Washington) to make a “response”. Message: put up or shut up.
HAPPY TO READ FOREIGN MINISTER HAD GUTS TO TELL JEWS WE DONT APPROVE WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!!!!!!!!!! TOO BAD ARMENIA STILL NOT STRONG AND RICH TOO HAVE REAL POWER AND INFLUENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
REMEMBER KHRIMYAN HAYREEG AND YERGATEH SHEREB – PAPER LADEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PAPER LADEL IS WEAK!!!!! ARMENIA NEEDS STEEEL LADEL!!!!! STRONG POWERFUL MILITARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shame on Israel / She ought to know Much Much Better !.
Arn.Sweden
Israel is a friend of Azerbaijan ,Armenia is Iran. THAT reason Israel sells weapn to Azerbaijan.Armenia is a part of Russia
Just the opposite without getting detail , Arm Sales to Baku , for Armenian trade and getting wiser and for Baku is death and just in Ramadan season is not blessing. Be positive , we are Armenians we do not afraid and die from this type a jewish scare tactics. We Armenians are sons of HAYG and we came from URARTU. Head up look for the heavens. Be all right.
so what!!!! Armenia is also friendly with France,Germany , Georgia , Greece, and all of Europe , Azerbaijan wants to destroy and commit genocide Against Armenia That is why Israel should never sell weapons to Genocidal Azerbaijan.