Israeli Foreign Minister to Propose Armenian Genocide Recognition to Knesset

Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Minister, revealed on Thursday his intention to submit a government bill officially recognizing the Armenian genocide, marking a potential shift in Israel's stance on this historically contentious issue.

Sa'ar stated via a post on the X platform that the bill will be presented at the upcoming cabinet meeting and subsequently referred to the Knesset for a vote.

He emphasized that recognizing the genocide committed against the Armenian people during the final years of the Ottoman Empire constitutes a moral and historical duty. Sa'ar also stressed the importance of condemning any attempts to deny, minimize, or distort this historical fact.

In a related statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry noted that despite extensive and clear historical documentation, the Armenian genocide continues to face institutional denial and minimization campaigns. The ministry accused Turkey of rewriting historical narratives, including through alterations to educational curricula.

This Israeli initiative comes at a time when 32 United Nations member states, including the United States, Canada, Russia, and Germany, have officially recognized the Armenian genocide as of 2026. Recognition has also been granted by the Holy See and the European Parliament.

If approved, this measure would represent a significant change in Israeli policy, which has long refrained from officially recognizing the Armenian genocide due to political and diplomatic considerations related to its relations with Turkey.