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Israel recognizes Armenian genocide, amid frosty ties with Turkey
The Times of Israel • • world
Key Points:
- The Israeli government voted unanimously to officially recognize the Armenian genocide, marking a significant shift in policy that may further strain relations with Turkey.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar emphasized the moral imperative of acknowledging the genocide, stating Israel joins 32 countries recognizing the historical truth of the 1.5 million Armenians killed during World War I.
- Israel had previously avoided using the term "genocide" to describe the Ottoman Empire's actions to maintain diplomatic ties with Turkey, which denies the systematic nature of the killings.
- Relations between Israel and Turkey have deteriorated sharply following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, with Turkey's President Erdogan comparing Israeli actions in Gaza to Nazi Germany and reducing trade ties.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly supported the recognition bill, acknowledging the genocide for the first time in August 2025, despite Ankara accusing Israel of politicizing historical tragedies.
