Sa'ar Moves to Put Armenian Genocide Recognition Before Government and Knesset

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is expected to bring a government resolution at the next cabinet meeting calling on Israel to formally recognize the Armenian genocide committed in the late Ottoman period. The proposal says Israel would do so “out of moral and historical duty” and would denounce any attempt to deny, minimize or distort the historical truth of the events.

The explanatory notes describe the genocide as beginning in April 1915, with the arrest and killing of Armenian leaders and intellectuals in Constantinople. They say the Ottoman authorities then carried out a systematic campaign against the Armenian population through forced labor, deportations, death marches, starvation and mass killings.

According to the proposal, about 1.5 million people died. It also says that despite extensive historical documentation, the genocide is still subject to denial and efforts to downplay it, especially by Turkey. The proposal notes that 32 countries have already recognized the Armenian genocide through legislation, parliamentary resolutions or official declarations.

If the cabinet approves the move, it will then be submitted to the Knesset for approval as well.