Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Introduce Resolution Formally Recognizing the Armenian Genocide
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has announced plans to introduce a resolution to officially recognize the Armenian genocide. Speaking ahead of the upcoming cabinet meeting, Sa’ar stated he will present a draft resolution formally acknowledging the mass extermination of Armenians during the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Following cabinet review, the document is slated to be brought before the Knesset for final approval.
The top Israeli diplomat framed the initiative as a “moral and historical duty” of the state. The proposed resolution also includes a strong condemnation of any attempts to deny, downplay, or distort the historical facts surrounding the tragic events of the early 20th century.
Most scholars and international organizations estimate that approximately 1.5 million Armenians perished as a result of systematic deportations, mass killings, and persecution. These events have been officially recognized as a genocide by more than 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and Russia.
For decades, Israel has avoided formal recognition at the state level. While the issue has frequently been raised in parliament and relevant committees, previous initiatives have consistently failed to secure final approval. Analysts largely attribute this caution to Jerusalem’s desire to maintain diplomatic relations with Turkey, which vehemently rejects the term “genocide” regarding the events of 1915 and actively opposes similar declarations by other nations.
The Foreign Minister’s new initiative marks one of the most significant shifts in Israel’s approach to this historical issue. If backed by both the government and parliament, it will be the first time the country formally cements its stance at the state level.
In 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly acknowledged the mass extermination of Armenians, Assyrians, and Greeks in the Ottoman Empire. Observers interpreted his remarks as a crucial signal of a potential overhaul in Jerusalem’s longstanding policy.
