  Armenian Genocide debate completes at Knesset  December 26, 2011 - 16:20 AMTPanARMENIAN.Net - Knesset members from all sides of the political spectrum called for the government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, marking the first time the issue was discussed in an open Knesset meeting. The Knesset Education Committee meeting was initiated after MK Arye Eldad (National Union) proposed a bill to mark the Armenian Genocide annually, which was then turned into a motion for the agenda after Eldad realized the coalition would not allow the legislation to pass. The meeting also addressed a similar motion put forward by MK Zehava Gal-On (Meretz), making Armenian Genocide one of the few topics agreed upon by the Knesset factions farthest to the political left and right. The discussion took place a week after France’s lower house of parliament moved to criminalize Armenian Genocide denial, leading to a diplomatic crisis between Paris and Ankara. Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said that those who fight Holocaust denial must not ignore the tragedies of other nations, and it is a moral imperative that Israel remember the Armenian Genocide. Gal-On said the meeting was an “exciting moment,” bringing to fruition the efforts of many former and current Meretz MKs over the years. She called for government ministries to stop using the Armenian Genocide as a tool in Israeli foreign policy. Although Gal-On said that Israel must not allow “tense” relations with Turkey to deteriorate, she added that relations with Turkey should be separate from this issue. Coalition chairman Ze’ev Elkin (Likud) said that he is embarrassed that the Knesset has yet to fulfil its “basic responsibility” in recognizing the Armenian Genocide. He said “a wall has been broken” in that the Education Committee discussion was taking place openly, but that progress still needs to be made. Elkin also mentioned that in 1939, Hitler cited the fact that Europe ignored the Armenian Genocide to justify his actions. No vote took place at the end of the meeting, and Knesset Education Committee chairman Alex Miller (Israel Beiteinu) said that more open discussions of the Armenian Genocide will take place, JPost reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Topic Latest news Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia  Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28.Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia.Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports.Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |
