Tuesday, April 14 2015 10:05

Delegation of Knesset members will arrive in Armenia to attend the Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemorations in Yerevan on April 24. It is reported that the visit of the parliamentary delegation to Armenia does not mean that Israel's stand on the issue has changed. 

A public interest group in Israel launched a signature campaign for official recognition of the Genocide of Armenians by Israel. 

For the first time, the issue was raised in Knesset in December 2011. A resolution introduced by Zehava Gal-On of the left-wing Meretz party and Ariyeh Eldad of the right-wing National Union party would recognize the Armenian Genocide and designate a national day of remembrance if passed. Coalition government representative Zen Elkin supported the initiative. The committee postponed approval of the measure.

National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror asked Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin to postpone the discussion, but Rivlin refused, saying: "As a nation that has suffered through a holocaust, we cannot ignore this issue, and therefore the hearing will be held as scheduled." 

Nevertheless, the discussion about setting an Armenian Genocide memorial day was postponed until the next hearing, whose date hasn't been yet specified.  
The first country to recognize that crime against humanity was Uruguay. Genocide of Armenians has been recognized by 44 United States as well as by 23 countries, including Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Russia, Belgium, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands, Greece, Cyprus, Vatican, Sweden, Lithuania.. Swizterland, Slovakia and Greece have even passed laws criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. France is preparing a similar bill. The Genocide of Armenians was recognized also by the CoE, European Parliament, the UN Subcommittee to prevent discrimination and protect minorities, the UN Committee for Military Crimes, the World Church Council, as well as New South Wales, San-Paolo, Seara and Parana (Brazil), Wales, Schotland and Northern Ireland, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Balearic Islands (Spain), Quebec,  Kyev, Uzhgorod, Izyum. Goloseevskiy region (Ukraine), Crimea. Turkey still denies the genocide of 1,5 million Armenians in 1915- 1923.  Euronest PA and EPP have lately recognized and condemned the Genocide of Armenians.