ISRAELI PARLIAMENT DEBATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

Vestnik Kavkaza
June 13 2012
Russia

On Tuesday the Israeli parliament debated whether to recognize the
alleged Armenian genocide of 1915. After the meeting, the leader
of the ruling coalition, Zeev Elkin, announced that lawmakers came
close to recognition. It’s quite clear, however, that this was the
strangest meeting in the history of the Israeli parliament.

The bill was proposed by Zahava Galon, the chair of the Dovish Meretz
party, and Arye Eldad of the Ihud Leumi party.

Before the meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Bebjamin Netanyahu asked
the parliamentary speaker, Reuven Rivlin, not to include the issue on
the agenda, but the speaker ignored Netanyahu’s request. The speaker’s
decision seems very extraordinary.

Reuven Rivlin denied the debate was related to the deteriorating ties
with Turkey. “The Turks will definitely be angry, but there is no
intent to provoke, only to remember,” he said. “The free world must
remember, to learn the lessons, so it won’t happen again.”

Robert Tivyayev of the Kadima party was the only one to openly oppose
the bill. “The issue is very complicated. I believe first of all it
should be examined by Turkish and Armenian historians. Israel should
not interfere right now. It will only spoil our relations with Turkey,”
he said.

Tivlyayev’s speech was interrupted by the speaker, who said “Thank
you, Mister Tivyayev. Your position is quite clear. You oppose the
recognition of the Armenian tragedy as such.”

Pyotr Lyukimson, Israel. Exclusively to VK

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress