Israel Officially Recognizes Armenian Genocide After Decades of Diplomatic Hesitation
On Independence Day in 2003, Naomi Nalbandian, a third-generation Armenian Holocaust survivor and deputy head nurse at Hadassah Hospital, was chosen to light a torch in Israel. She intended to mention the Armenian genocide during the ceremony, but under heavy diplomatic pressure from Turkey, she was forced to retract and only refer to her grandparents as survivors from "historic Armenia." This incident epitomized Israel's long-standing policy of avoiding official recognition of the Armenian genocide to maintain strategic ties with Turkey.
For decades, Israel balanced moral responsibility against geopolitical interests, refraining from formally acknowledging the genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated one to 1.5 million Armenians. The denial of the genocide has been a core issue in Turkish foreign policy since the founding of modern Turkey. Israel’s strategic alliance with Turkey, part of David Ben-Gurion’s “periphery doctrine” to build regional alliances with non-Arab states, often took precedence over moral considerations.
Throughout the years, Israeli officials showed varying degrees of reluctance and openness. In 1989, then Deputy Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged the genocide, but the government maintained a cautious stance. In the 1990s and early 2000s, some ministers like Yair Tzaban and Yossi Sarid broke the silence by participating in Armenian genocide memorials and calling for official recognition, though the government distanced itself from their statements. Turkey consistently punished any Israeli officials who expressed pro-Armenian views, including blocking Ehud Toledano’s ambassadorial appointment due to his past comments.
Relations between Israel and Turkey deteriorated significantly during Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s tenure, especially after the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident. This shift allowed Israeli voices to advocate more openly for recognition. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and President Reuven Rivlin publicly supported acknowledging the genocide. Despite internal resistance within the Foreign Ministry, the government’s stance evolved.
Last week, the Israeli cabinet approved Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s proposal for Israel to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, marking a historic policy change. The decision is expected to be ratified soon by the Knesset, ending decades of silence and diplomatic caution. This move reflects a new chapter in Israeli-Turkish relations and a reaffirmation of Israel’s commitment to historical truth and moral responsibility, despite previous geopolitical constraints.
