The speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein called on Israel to officially recognise the mass killings of Armenians 100 years ago by the Ottoman empire as a genocide.
“It is no secret that Israel has taken too ambivalent a stance on the Armenian genocide,” said Mr Edelstein, referring to the killing of over 1.5 million Armenians, calling it “one of the most despicable and most dramatic incidents that happened in the beginning of the last century.”
“A thicket of constraints, diplomatic and other, created a state of affairs in which the Israeli position was too hesitant, too restrained, and as a result – it appears to have diminished the importance of this powerful event,” continued Mr Edelstein.
“The State of Israel must thoroughly examine its official position, since history, as we know, cannot be changed,” he added. “There are many reasons, diplomatic and otherwise, for the Israeli stance being too hesitant and restrained, which downplayed the magnitude of the historical event. We Jews who are still suffering from the impact of the Holocaust cannot minimize the tragedy.”
Last month, Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon reiterated the country's stance, stating “Israel’s position hasn’t changed.” “Israel and the Jewish people are showing solidarity and empathy with the Armenian people and government in light of the profound tragedy they endured during World War I,” said Mr Nahshon.
“It is no secret that Israel has taken too ambivalent a stance on the Armenian genocide,” said Mr Edelstein, referring to the killing of over 1.5 million Armenians, calling it “one of the most despicable and most dramatic incidents that happened in the beginning of the last century.”
“A thicket of constraints, diplomatic and other, created a state of affairs in which the Israeli position was too hesitant, too restrained, and as a result – it appears to have diminished the importance of this powerful event,” continued Mr Edelstein.
“The State of Israel must thoroughly examine its official position, since history, as we know, cannot be changed,” he added. “There are many reasons, diplomatic and otherwise, for the Israeli stance being too hesitant and restrained, which downplayed the magnitude of the historical event. We Jews who are still suffering from the impact of the Holocaust cannot minimize the tragedy.”
Last month, Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon reiterated the country's stance, stating “Israel’s position hasn’t changed.” “Israel and the Jewish people are showing solidarity and empathy with the Armenian people and government in light of the profound tragedy they endured during World War I,” said Mr Nahshon.