Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

[Alexandros]

Photo by: Courtesy


Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

By REBECCA ANNA STOIL

05/18/2011 21:18

MKs ranging from Shas to Meretz take stand to speak in favor of officially recognizing massacres that killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians.

Shortly before the one year anniversary of the Free Gaza Flotilla that marked a low point in Israel-Turkey relations, the Knesset made history Wednesday afternoon when it held its first open discussion on recognition of the Armenian genocide.

With a number of Armenian religious and lay leaders watching in the visitors’ gallery, MKs ranging from Shas to Meretz took the stand to speak in favor of officially recognizing the series of massacres and deportations that killed an estimated 1.5 million Armenians in the years during and shortly after World War I.

For years, consecutive governments had blocked attempts by MKs to raise the subject of recognizing the genocide out of concern that such recognition could damage relations with Ankara. This year, however, the government did not block the hearing.

MKs voted by a unanimous vote of 20-0 following the hearing to refer the subject for a further hearing to the Knesset’s Education Committee, a hearing that will also be broadcast, at least via Internet. In contrast, any previous discussions concerning the genocide had been held exclusively behind the closed doors of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

“I am certain that as Israelis, who have heard so many times people attempting to deny the horror that was brought upon our people, it is impossible for the Knesset to ignore this tragedy,” said Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.

“The historical facts supporting it are solid and well-based. There is still an argument between the Turkish nation and the Armenian nation, but this argument cannot justify even a sliver of denial regarding the Armenian people’s tragedy. We find it difficult to forgive other nations who ignore our tragedy, and thus we cannot ignore another nation’s tragedy. It is our moral obligation as human beings and as Je_ws.”

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[Mos]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

Is there a timetable for a vote? I'm sceptical honestly with the right wing in power that this will get passed, but let's see...

[Alexandros]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

Is there a timetable for a vote?

Don`t know. I would like to know that too.

I'm sceptical honestly with the right wing in power that this will get passed, but let's see...

Me too. But MKs from the Shas party - which is a ultra-Orthodox religious political party in Israel - spoke in favour of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

[Mos]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

We should try to captialise on the Turkish-Israeli tensions - such a recognition would really be a slap in Turkey's face, and would give the Israeli/J3wish lobby groups no excuse to work against us.

[Davo88]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

Armenian genocide recognition by Israel is long overdue. We shall see whether or not it happens now.

[Eddo211]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

Me too. But MKs from the Shas party - which is a ultra-Orthodox religious political party in Israel - spoke in favour of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Alexandros my friend, they have always done that, and they have never denied the fact of AG......however this is just to put pressure on Turkey, no recognition will ever come.

[Alexandros]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

Alexandros my friend, they have always done that, and they have never denied the fact of AG......however this is just to put pressure on Turkey, no recognition will ever come.

I see. Didn`t know that Eddo.

[Eddo211]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

I see. Didn`t know that Eddo.

I have visited in the past some of the blogs of Orthodox religous xxxs and talk to them. Those guys are out there and very serious about history, they may not like us too much (they don't like Turks for sure) but they wont deny historical realities. They were directly responsible for blocking Israeli gov attempt to install Ataturks statue in Jerusalem. I know this because at that time I asked them if they would be OK with the statue and they told me they will never allow it and will block it, they actually promised me.

[Alexandros]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide

I have visited in the past some of the blogs of Orthodox religous xxxs and talk to them. Those guys are out there and very serious about history, they may not like us too much (they don't like Turks for sure) but they wont deny historical realities. They were directly responsible for blocking Israeli gov attempt to install Ataturks statue in Jerusalem. I know this because at that time I asked them if they would be OK with the statue and they told me they will never allow it and will block it, they actually promised me.

Good to hear.

[Alexandros]

Re: Knesset moves toward recognizing Armenian genocide




Knesset to discuss Armenian Genocide amid deteriorating Turkey ties

Planned Knesset panel meet would be the first public discussion of a subject that Israel has longed sought to avoid as a result of its long-time alliance with Turkey.

Published 18:40 18.05.11
Latest update 18:40 18.05.11

By Jonathan Lis

A Knesset panel has announced its plan to hold the first official public debate on the Armenian Genocide, officials said Wednesday, in what many see as a further sign of Israel's deteriorating ties with long-time ally Turkey.

Israel has long evaded a public discussion of the 1915-era killings of Armenians by Turkish forces, also avoiding calling the attack "genocide," out of fears of disrupting its long-standing diplomatic and military alliance with Turkey.

In recent years, former Meretz MK Haim Oron had repeatedly attempted to raise the issue at the Knesset's Education panel, with government officials moving to cancel the debate.

Last year, as ties with Turkey had begun to fray following Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas and an attack on a Turkish aid flotilla in 2010, Oron was granted approval to discuss the Armenian Genocide in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the meetings of which are closed to the media.

However, in what seems to be another sign of worsening Jerusalem-Ankara ties, the Knesset moved Tuesday to approve a discussion by Meretz MK Zehava Gal-On, who replaced Oron following his retirement, to hold the first public discussion on the Armenian Genocide.

Speaking to the Knesset assembly, Gal-On said that she believed "that is was the duty of the Israeli Knesset to make a clear stance on this issue, especially in face of the thundering silence of past Israeli governments over so many years."

"It is important to stress – the moral obligation to recognize the Armenian Genocide is not a left or right issue," Gal-On said.

The Meretz MK added that the effort to bring the issue to public discussion was partnered along the years with representatives of all side of the Israeli political map, including such right-wing officials as Likud Minister Benny Begin, Yisrael Beiteinu's National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.

"The Armenian Genocide has been used as a pawn of Israel's foreign ministry for too many years," Gal-On said, adding that Israel has chosen to "sacrifice the values of memory, recognition and commemoration on the alter of narrow interests."

"Israel has thus chosen," the Meretz MK concluded, "to adopt the Turkish position, which refuses to recognize the Armenian Genocide."

In 2007, the Knesset decided to shelve a proposal for a parliamentary discussion on the Armenian genocide, in compliance with then Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's request.

Tzipi Livni, Foreign Minister at the time, had also asked for a removal Oron's proposal from the agenda of the Knesset Education, Culture, and Sports Committee.

She said the discussion might destabilize diplomatic relations with Turkey, which denies responsibility for the death of nearly 1 million Armenians during World War I.

MK Oron said that before the vote, Livni called him twice to ask him to withdraw the proposal. "This inquiry is something we owe the Armenians, primarily at a time when we are struggling to preserve the memory of our own people," said Oron.

He added that he had intended the discussion to lead to a resolution by the Knesset acknowledging the genocide perpetrated against the Armenians by the Turkish security forces.

Prominent members of the Armenian community in Israel observed the vote from the Knesset visitors' balcony and expressed their disappointment with the decision.

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