Armenians of Jerusalem protest Israel's denial of Armenian Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Community of Israel held a protest action in front of the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, on Monday Oct. 22.



As PanARMENIAN.Net came to know from a source in Jerusalem, almost 200 Armenians were found in the Justice Square singing and chanting Armenian songs and slogans. Many journalists and news agencies had their share to capture the moment and interview protesters. The event was attended by two parliamentary officials, Yaeer Tsaban and Khayeem Oron, who both gave speeches emphasizing on the denial of the genocide by the Israeli government.



In his speech, Mr. Oron promised to lobby the issue again and to do his utmost to call from the podium of the Knesset for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.



A Greek Orthodoxy official, Father Aatala, also held a speech encouraging Armenians to fight for their cause and the recognition. Also Hayr Norayar Kazazdian, an official from the Armenian Apostolic church, spoke in English, on the issue at hand. Photographs were attracted by an old lady who wore a sign reading 'I am a Survivor', and by a group of signs reading "Today's Denial is Tomorrow's Genocide'" and "Israel: Recognize the Armenian Genocide". Serop Sahagian, head figure of the community, also gave a speech about how the US Congress should recognize the genocide, since it has a great influence on other foreign governments; and how its Israel's lobbying, not Turkey's, that will stop the resolution from passing in the Congress. A Foreign Ministry official arrived in the midst of the protest and was handed a letter, by the Hay Dat representatives. The official promised to reach the letter to the Foreign Minister, and was told by Serop Sahagian to do the moral choice based on human rights, rather than follow denial for financial purposes. The Armenian Community will again reunite for the April 24 protest, which is always held front of the Turkish Embassy.