Netanyahu recognizes Armenian and Greek genocide by Turkey

Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly acknowledged the genocide of Armenians and Greeks by Turkey for the first time.

Israel has avoided officially recognizing the massacre of Christians during World War I for years, but the Israeli prime minister appears to be signaling a change of heart as relations with Turkey continue to deteriorate, the Times of Israel reports.

Netanyahu said Tuesday for the first time that he recognizes the genocide suffered by Armenians, Assyrians and Pontic Greeks in the early 20th century, following a question on a podcast.

Netanyahu Recognizes Armenian, Pontic Greek Genocide

When Patrick Bet-David asked him on his podcast why Israel does not recognize the genocide of Armenians, Assyrians and Greeks, Netanyahu replied:
“I think we have. I think the Knesset has passed a resolution,” even though no such law has been passed.

When pressed why no Israeli prime minister has recognized it, Netanyahu replied:
“I just did. Here it is.”

According to Israeli media reports, Armenians have been demanding international recognition of the massacres, which left an estimated 1.5 million people dead, for decades. Turkey, the successor state of the Ottoman Empire, categorically rejects the term “genocide.”

Most countries in the world avoid calling the events of 1915–1923 genocide, due to their diplomatic and strategic relations with Turkey, which has the second-largest army in NATO. To date, only 34 governments have recognized it, it is noted, while Israel, which for years considered Ankara a key commercial and at times strategic partner, was among the countries that did not officially recognize the genocide.

In the past, there have been attempts by politicians and presidents, such as Reuven Rivlin, to officially recognize the genocide, but the political situation at the time and relations with Turkey prevented such a move.

Netanyahu’s statement yesterday may mark a historic shift in Israel’s stance, the report concludes.

Source: https://www.newgreektv.com/news-in-english-for-greeks/world/item/37926-netanyahu-recognizes-armenian-and-greek-genocide-by-turkey