Israeli FM opposes Armenian Genocide recognition

PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stood against the Armenian Genocide recognition.

“Since its establishment, Israel has opposed the application of Holocaust term in relation to another war and tragedy. The tragedy of the Jewish people during the World War II is beyond comparison with any other tragedy. Attempts to turn conflicts and massacres in Africa, Asia and Balkans into another Holocaust are unacceptable. No country other than France has recognized Armenian Genocide by law. Today historical incidents have turned into political disputes. That’s why I don’t consider it right for Israel to face this problem,” Azerbaijan Press Agency quoted Lieberman as saying.

It’s worth noting here that the following 22 countries have recognized the Armenian Genocide: Uruguay, Russia, Cyprus, Greece, Canada, Italy, Lebanon, Australia, Belgium, France, Argentina, Sweden, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Venezuela, Poland, Switzerland, Brazil, Vatican and Chili.

On January 23, the French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the Armenian Genocide denial with 127 votes for and 86 against. Expected to be signed into law by President within 14 days, the bill will impose a 45,000 euro fine and a year in prison for anyone in France who denies this crime against humanity committed by the Ottoman Empire.

Two separate groups of French politicians who oppose the legislation - from both the Senate and the lower house - said they had formally requested the constitutional council examine the law. The groups said they each had gathered more than the minimum 60 signatures required to ask the council to test the law's constitutionality. The council is obliged to deliver its judgment within a month, but this can be reduced to eight days if the government deems the matter urgent.