Israeli Government’s Armenian Genocide Recognition Reflects Political Interests, Not Moral Duty
Dr. Alina Berdicev-Yellov argues that Israel’s recent unanimous government decision to recognize the Armenian genocide is framed as a moral obligation but actually reflects a shift in Israel’s political and strategic interests rather than a change in ethical principles. The recognition, proposed by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, acknowledges the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Official statements emphasize Israel’s moral duty, raising the question of why this recognition is happening only now, after decades of Israeli governments avoiding it due to diplomatic and strategic considerations.
Historically, Israeli administrations have refrained from recognizing the genocide, despite political calls to do so, prioritizing national interests and relations with Turkey, a key regional partner. For example, a 1980s Israeli documentary on the Armenian massacres was reportedly suppressed under government and security pressure due to Turkish warnings about jeopardizing sensitive operations. Dr. Berdicev-Yellov highlights that the moral question has remained constant, but political circumstances have changed, prompting the current recognition.
She cautions that if recognition is based on shifting geopolitical interests rather than immutable moral principles, future Israeli governments might reverse the decision if relations with Turkey improve. This raises concerns about whether moral imperatives truly guide policy or if politics dictate moral stances. Dr. Berdicev-Yellov stresses that historical events like those of 1915 should primarily be examined by historians using archival evidence and scholarly debate, not by politicians influenced by contemporary diplomatic priorities.
The article contrasts Israel’s recognition with European countries’ acknowledgment of the Holocaust, which involves accepting historical responsibility for crimes committed by their own nations. Israel, by contrast, has no historical culpability for the Armenian genocide, and many countries recognizing it do not either. She suggests that honoring victims and supporting academic research should not be conflated with politicizing a century-old tragedy.
Furthermore, Dr. Berdicev-Yellov notes that Armenia itself is moving toward normalizing relations with Turkey and does not want the 1915 events to be exploited politically by other states. She concludes that mixing history and diplomacy weakens both fields, and Israel’s delayed recognition is more a celebration of political convenience than genuine moral awakening.
Dr. Alina Berdicev-Yellov is a former Knesset member, ex-advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a research fellow at the Jerusalem Multidisciplinary Academic College, and head of Antisemitism Watch.
