System of a Down Frontman Serj Tankian Condemns Israeli Recognition of Armenian Genocide

Serj Tankian, lead singer of the Armenian-American metal band System of a Down, publicly criticized the Israeli government's decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide. On June 29, 2026, Tankian posted a video to his 2.7 million Instagram followers expressing anger at Israel's move, accusing the government of exploiting the genocide for political gain. He claimed that for years, Israel pressured the U.S. Congress not to recognize the genocide due to its ties with Turkey, including intelligence cooperation.

Tankian condemned the Netanyahu cabinet's recognition of the 1915 genocide, which he described as the event that inspired Hitler's Holocaust. He accused the current Israeli government of committing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon and called their recognition of the Armenian Genocide "the most fucked up thing" they could do to Armenians by using their history and pain for political advantage. He concluded his message with a strong rebuke, telling them to "go to hell."

Known for his pro-Palestinian stance, Tankian has previously criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of "messianic obsession" and exploiting former U.S. President Trump's tenure to provoke regional conflict. In 2020, he condemned Azerbaijan's use of Israeli-made suicide drones against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, highlighting the tragic cycle of genocide survivors' descendants killing each other with weapons supplied by descendants of Holocaust survivors.

This controversy follows Israel's formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, a move that contrasts with its previous political caution due to relations with Turkey. Tankian's remarks add to ongoing debates about the politicization of historical tragedies and current conflicts in the region.