System of a Down Frontman Serge Tankian Condemns Netanyahu Over Armenian Genocide Recognition

Serge Tankian, the Armenian-American lead singer of the metal band System of a Down, sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government following Israel's official recognition of the Armenian genocide. The Israeli cabinet approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's proposal on Sunday for Israel to formally acknowledge the genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks against Armenians in 1915. The proposal, which will be submitted to the Knesset for approval, also condemns any denial or distortion of the genocide.

Tankian, known for his activism promoting international recognition of the Armenian genocide, accused the Israeli government of exploiting Armenian history and suffering for political gain. In an Instagram video, he stated that for years Israel had used AIPAC to lobby the U.S. Congress against recognizing the genocide due to its ties with Turkey and intelligence cooperation. He condemned the current government's decision to recognize the genocide while simultaneously accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon, calling it "the worst thing they could do to Armenians."

System of a Down, formed in 1994, has released five studio albums and won a Grammy for their song "B.Y.O.B." Tankian, 58, was born in Beirut and is also known for his political activism, including co-founding the activist group Axis of Justice in 2002 with Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan expressed deep concern over Israel's decision to recognize the Armenian genocide.

The recognition marks a significant political shift for Israel, which had previously refrained from officially acknowledging the genocide due to strategic relations with Turkey. The Knesset's upcoming vote will determine the formal adoption of this recognition.

Summary: Serge Tankian, frontman of System of a Down, condemned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu after Israel's government officially recognized the Armenian genocide, accusing it of political exploitation and hypocrisy amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The recognition, proposed by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, will be voted on by the Knesset, while Azerbaijan voiced strong concern over the decision.