STEPANAKERT—Israeli genocide scholar and advocate for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Yair Auron, ended a three-day visit to Artsakh, during which he met with officials, residents, and military servicemen. Auron met with reporters on Tuesday in Stepanakert to share his impressions. The scholar confessed he didn’t know much about the Artsakh War prior to his visit.
As a genocide expert, Auron says he does not accept describing the events in Khojaly, as well as those in Sumgait and Baku, as genocide. “Some people say the events in Khojaly constituted genocide, but they do not comply with the classical definition of genocide.” As for the events in Sumgait and Baku, the scholar said he has not conducted research on these concrete cases, but considers they should be called “massacres.”
Auron confessed that on the first day of his visit, his impressions were not that bright, but everything changed over the next two days.
“My impression on the first day was that you are weak. Now I’m confident you are very strong, strong with your spirit.”
“I admire your struggle for self-determination,” he said. “This is your right and I wish you every success,” the scholar said.
“After I met with the soldiers, I saw they are ready to continue the struggle with the same spirit. They have the resoluteness to fight, to master their own destiny. I admire that determination.”
Auron said he’s ashamed of the fact that Israel sells arms to Azerbaijan, knowing those will be used against the people of Karabakh.
“I go mad, when I think these weapons are used against you,” the scholar said.
According to Yair Auron, upon his return to Israel he will continue the struggle for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. He plans to visit Nagorno Karabakh again in the summer.
