Armenian Genocide bill may re-emerge on Knesset agenda after recess

PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of Israel’s Knesset reacted angrily to the downgrade in diplomatic relations with Turkey, the Jerusalem Post reported.

“Turkey, who supports terrorist organizations that shoot rockets at Israeli citizens every day, are those who need to apologize and take responsibility,” coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin (Likud) said. “Turkey, who cruelly represses the national longings of the Kurds are the last ones who can preach to us.”

“Israel needs to stand strong before the chutzpah and the extortion of Turkey’s Islamist government,” Elkin added.

Likud MK Danny Danon said: “Turkey crossed the line in supporting the flotilla and supporting terror, and they have the nerve to ask us for apologies. Turkey needs to apologize to Israel and abandon the ways of terror and the axis of evil.” Danon also called for the US to declare Turkey a state that supports terror, because of its close ties to Iran.

MK Yohanan Plesner (Kadima) called the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador to Turkey “a new low in our declining relations with Turkey over the last two years.”

Kadima MK Otniel Schneller called for restraint in reacting to the downgrade. “Our interest is to maintain relations with Turkey as much as possible,” he said. “This is in Israel’s interest and in the interest of the entire Middle East. Israel has a responsibility to maintain stability in the region.”

MK Arye Eldad (National Union) said Israel should expel the Turkish ambassador and demand payment of damages to the soldiers injured during the flotilla incident.

He added that he plans to propose a bill to recognize the Armenian Genocide by the Turks, as soon as the Knesset recess ends.