Epress.am News from Armenia
The decision by the Knesset last week brings closer the day of Israel’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide, said Hagop Sevan, a representative of the Jerusalem office of the Hay Dat (“Armenian Cause”), speaking to RFE/RL’s Armenian service.
Recall, Israel’s parliament ruled last Wednesday to discuss the issue of recognizing the Armenian Genocide in the Knesset education committee.
According to Sevan, during the Knesset discussions on May 18, there was reference to the fact that “in the Western world today, Israel is practically one of the last states that has not yet recognized the Armenian Genocide.” In addition, Sevan continued, “Turkey-Israel relations today are becoming worse day by day.”
“And all this combined — this very reason, historical, moral, is Israel’s moral character, which we would like to present in a better way, which is why, I think, Israel has now taken this step,” said the Hay Dat representative.
The 20 MKs (Members of Knesset) who took part in the vote approved not only the inclusion of a draft resolution on the agenda, but also the transfer of the issue to the education committee.
The Turkish press and television on the same day addressed the decision by the Knesset, severely criticizing the move by Israeli MKs.
Another Hay Dat member, Georgette Avakian, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service that a wealth of materials is now going to be prepared for submission to the Knesset.
Currently thank you letters are being prepared to send to those Israeli MKs who spoke out in favor of the restoration of historic justice.
Many Armenians in Israel are also awaiting for the reaction from Armenia’s government, National Assembly and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.