Israel Officially Recognizes Armenian Genocide in Government Vote

On Sunday, the Israeli government approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's proposal to officially recognize the Armenian genocide. Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Sa'ar emphasized the moral obligation of Israel as a Jewish state to acknowledge the massacre, which occurred over 100 years ago during the late Ottoman Empire and resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.5 million Armenians along with the destruction of their cultural heritage. Sa'ar stated, "It is never too late to do the right thing," and highlighted the broad historical consensus on the facts of the genocide.

The government decision condemned any denial, minimization, or distortion of the historical truth surrounding these events, noting that despite extensive documentation, the Armenian genocide remains subject to institutional denial and revisionism, particularly by Turkey. Until now, 32 countries have recognized the Armenian genocide through parliamentary resolutions, legislation, or official statements.

This recognition marks a symbolic rebuke of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Israel had previously refrained from formal recognition despite several parliamentary initiatives, some of which were shelved or rejected. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had acknowledged the massacre in a past interview but avoided formal recognition. The current decision reflects a significant shift in Israel's official stance on this historical issue.