Epress.am News from Armenia
Rima Varzhapetyan, widely recognized as the head of Armenia’s Jewish community, welcomes Israel’s decision to instruct the Knesset’s education committee to review a resolution on recognizing the Armenian Genocide and to present it to parliament for approval.
“I’m overjoyed, and we hope that the time has come for my nation, the Jewish people, recognize this tragedy as Genocide,” Varzhapetyan told Epress.am earlier today.
During her last meeting with journalists, on Apr. 19, the community leader had said that Israel’s politicians know what might follow Genocide recognition and they also know that it will have a negative effect on Israel’s economy and security.
“You should not construct your own happiness on the misfortune of others. Don’t think that relations between Israel and Turkey are in such a poor state. We can only dream that relations between Armenia and Israel constantly improve,” she said.
In response to numerous questions by journalists in Armenia on the matter of Israel’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Varzhapetyan said that “the Jewish world — including citizens of Israel — acknowledge this fact.
“However, there are political and economic issues, and relations with other countries. When Iran’s president was honored with a gold medal in Armenia, we were indignant, but we also understood that this was politics. Just as Armenia cannot do without Iran, Israel has similar notions on this issue.”
Recall, the issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide was raised in the House of Representatives of the State of Israel (the Knesset) on May 18. The motion was put forth by Meretz delegate Zahava Gal-On, who was actively supported by ruling Likud party representative Ze’ev Elkin.
“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,” said Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin.