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Israel’s Knesset made history Wednesday when it held its first open discussion on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reports The Jerusalem Post.
For years, consecutive governments had blocked attempts by parliamentarians (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.
Speaking to the Knesset assembly, Meretz delegate Zahava Gal-On, who presented the motion, 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 Armenian Genocide has been used as a pawn of Israel’s foreign ministry for too many years,” she continued, adding that Israel has chosen to “sacrifice the values of memory, recognition and commemoration on the alter of narrow interests,” reports Haaretz.com.
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.
During the more than 30-minute debate on the Knesset floor, various party members expressed their views on the resolution. Ruling Likud party representative Ze’ev Elkin was one of the MKs who supported the motion to task the education committee with the issue. Elkin’s role in the fruition of this motion was considerable.
“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 Jews,” he said.