Israel cabinet votes to recognize Armenian genocide

The Israeli government voted unanimously on Sunday to formally recognize the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as a genocide. The cabinet decision, which still requires ratification by Israel's parliament, the Knesset, marks a historic policy shift after decades of official avoidance to preserve relations with Turkey.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who brought the proposal, described the recognition as a moral and historical duty. He stated that the Armenian genocide remains the subject of an institutionalized campaign of denial and minimization, primarily by the Turkish government. It is never too late to do the right thing, Saar said.

The move is widely seen as a reflection of the severely deteriorated relationship between Israel and Turkey, once close strategic allies. Tensions have escalated sharply since the war in Gaza began following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a vocal critic, repeatedly accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, a charge Israel vehemently denies. Israel has in turn accused Erdogan of antisemitism and of supporting Hamas. Turkey has...