On June 28, the Israeli cabinet unanimously approved the resolution submitted by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, according to reports from AP and Euronews. However, the resolution requires ratification by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, to take effect.
After the cabinet meeting, Sa'ar stated on X (formerly Twitter), "Israel has fulfilled its moral obligation to acknowledge historical truth and reject attempts to deny it." He added in a separate statement that approximately 1.5 million people died and a rich history and cultural heritage were destroyed during the Armenian genocide.
The Armenian genocide refers to the mass killings and deportations of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire, the predecessor of modern-day Turkey, during World War I. Many historians estimate that around 1.5 million people perished during this period. Turkey has consistently rejected the term genocide, maintaining that deaths occurred amid wartime conflicts and forced relocations.
Israel has been cautious in officially recognizing the events as genocide due to its relationship with Turkey. However, following Hamas's surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, Turkey's support for Hamas and strong criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza have led to a rapid deterioration of relations between the two nations.
This resolution is seen not only as a decision regarding historical recognition but also as a form of diplomatic pressure on Turkey. In response, Turkey has condemned Israel's decision as politically motivated.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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