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MK ELDAD: ARMENIAN GENOCIDE A HISTORICAL FACT
By Gavriel Queenann
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/151099
12/26/2011
The downturn in relations between Ankara and Jerusalem opens the door
for Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) says the chill in relations between
Jerusalem and Ankara is the perfect opportunity to recognize the
Armenian Genocide of World War One.
"A genocide against the Armenian people was conducted in Ottoman
Turkey during the first world war," Eldad told Arutz Sheva. "This is
a historical fact that cannot be denied and should not be denied."
"The fact that for many years Israel avoided any declaration on this
issue because we have very sensitive diplomatic relations with Turkey
should not affect our decisions [in the present]," Eldad said.
Turkey downgraded diplomatic relations with Israel and began
agitating against the Jewish state in the international arena after
the publication of the UN Palmer Report on the 2010 Mavi Marmara
incident earlier this year.
Nine Turkish nationals on board the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara were
killed when they participated in a mob that tried to lynch Israeli
naval commandos who boarded the vessel in accordance with international
maritime law.
Officials in Istanbul were incensed that the report concluded
Israel's blockade of the Hamas terror organization in Gaza was
"legal and appropriate" and - while criticizing Israel for using
"excessive force" - said the commandoes' lives were in danger.
Turkey rejected Israel's "expression of regret" for the incident
demanding, instead, a full apology and reparations for the families
of those killed while trying to murder Israeli soldiers.
Now "the very delicate relations with Turkey are only unilateral,"
Eldad explained. "We act as if afraid of them, they are doing
everything that they can to harm Israel... to build roots between them
and the Iranian regime... and to harm Israel in every international
arena that they can - in the United Nations, in NATO, and elsewhere."
"This is the time to ignore all sensitivities in dealing with Turkey
and say out loud, very clearly, the moral declaration that Israel
recognizes the genocide of the Armenian people."
Eldad joined MK Zahava Gal On (Meretz) in pushing for the Knesset to
recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Knesset Education Committee
on Monday.
The strange alliance between staunch nationalist Eldad and
extreme-leftist Gal On may well represent a growing consensus that
has support in Israel's cabinet.
Earlier this year foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman (Israel Beitenu)
indicated recognition of the Armenian Genocide could be one tool in
Israel's diplomatic arsenal to use in isolating Ankara internationally.
Some 970,000 ethnic Armenians of all ages disappeared from Turkey's
population registries during the First World War. It is estimated,
however, that as many as 1.5 million were killed in a systematic
series of Turkish pogroms and forced marches.
The harsh crackdown came during an ongoing Russian-backed series
of Armenian rebellions in Turkey. Armenians call the massacre The
Great Crime.
By Gavriel Queenann
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/151099
12/26/2011
The downturn in relations between Ankara and Jerusalem opens the door
for Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) says the chill in relations between
Jerusalem and Ankara is the perfect opportunity to recognize the
Armenian Genocide of World War One.
"A genocide against the Armenian people was conducted in Ottoman
Turkey during the first world war," Eldad told Arutz Sheva. "This is
a historical fact that cannot be denied and should not be denied."
"The fact that for many years Israel avoided any declaration on this
issue because we have very sensitive diplomatic relations with Turkey
should not affect our decisions [in the present]," Eldad said.
Turkey downgraded diplomatic relations with Israel and began
agitating against the Jewish state in the international arena after
the publication of the UN Palmer Report on the 2010 Mavi Marmara
incident earlier this year.
Nine Turkish nationals on board the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara were
killed when they participated in a mob that tried to lynch Israeli
naval commandos who boarded the vessel in accordance with international
maritime law.
Officials in Istanbul were incensed that the report concluded
Israel's blockade of the Hamas terror organization in Gaza was
"legal and appropriate" and - while criticizing Israel for using
"excessive force" - said the commandoes' lives were in danger.
Turkey rejected Israel's "expression of regret" for the incident
demanding, instead, a full apology and reparations for the families
of those killed while trying to murder Israeli soldiers.
Now "the very delicate relations with Turkey are only unilateral,"
Eldad explained. "We act as if afraid of them, they are doing
everything that they can to harm Israel... to build roots between them
and the Iranian regime... and to harm Israel in every international
arena that they can - in the United Nations, in NATO, and elsewhere."
"This is the time to ignore all sensitivities in dealing with Turkey
and say out loud, very clearly, the moral declaration that Israel
recognizes the genocide of the Armenian people."
Eldad joined MK Zahava Gal On (Meretz) in pushing for the Knesset to
recognize the Armenian Genocide in the Knesset Education Committee
on Monday.
The strange alliance between staunch nationalist Eldad and
extreme-leftist Gal On may well represent a growing consensus that
has support in Israel's cabinet.
Earlier this year foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman (Israel Beitenu)
indicated recognition of the Armenian Genocide could be one tool in
Israel's diplomatic arsenal to use in isolating Ankara internationally.
Some 970,000 ethnic Armenians of all ages disappeared from Turkey's
population registries during the First World War. It is estimated,
however, that as many as 1.5 million were killed in a systematic
series of Turkish pogroms and forced marches.
The harsh crackdown came during an ongoing Russian-backed series
of Armenian rebellions in Turkey. Armenians call the massacre The
Great Crime.