Key facts
- Israel's government unanimously approved a proposal to recognize the Armenian genocide.
- The decision still requires approval in Israel's Parliament.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar brought the decision to the government.
- The move reflects deteriorating ties between Israel and Turkey.
- Turkey denies the mass deaths of Armenians constituted genocide.
Israel's government has formally recognized the massacres of Armenians during World War I as genocide. The decision, unanimously approved by the cabinet following a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, must still be ratified by parliament. This move is widely interpreted as a significant rebuke to Turkey and reflects the deepening rift between the two nations, particularly since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Sa'ar stated that the Armenian genocide has been subjected to an "institutionalised campaign of denial and minimisation," largely by the Turkish government. He asserted that it is Israel's "moral and historical duty" as a Jewish state to formally acknowledge these events, emphasizing that "it is never too late to do the right thing."
Historically, successive Israeli governments have refrained from formal recognition of the Armenian genocide, primarily to maintain diplomatic and strategic relations with Turkey, which was once a key partner for Israel in the region. The current decision marks a notable shift in this long-standing policy. Turkey has consistently rejected the term 'genocide' for the events, though more than 30 countries, including France, Germany, and the United States, have classified the violence as genocide. Israel itself faces accusations of genocide in its current offensive in Gaza, which it denies.