The empty chamber of Israel’s Knesset
Azerbaijan’s government on Tuesday admitted that it exerted pressure on Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to foil a vote by that country’s parliament—the Knesset—to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The Israeli cabinet recognized the Armenian Genocide, in what has been largely seen as a move to antagonize Ankara, amid the continuing turmoil in the Middle East. That recognition would have needed approval by the Knesset, which went into summer break and indefinitely delayed the vote.
Last month, the Israeli Haaretz newspaper, citing sources close to the government, reported that the Knesset did not vote to recognize the Armenian Genocide due to pressure from Azerbaijan on Netanyahu.
Speaking to the Turkish Television channel Haber Global, Hikmet Hajiyev, the chief foreign policy aide to President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, said that his government took immediate action upon learning about the Israeli government’s vote.
“As soon as this issue arose, Azerbaijan, on the instructions of Mr. President [Aliyev], began intensive diplomatic efforts. We also conveyed our messages to the Israeli side that the adoption of such a decision would, first of all, be unfair, and would not reflect historical reality, adding that we did not consider its adoption advisable,” Hajiyev told the Turkish media outlet.
“The positive side is that the Israeli side took Azerbaijan’s messages seriously. We believe that further progress on this issue has been prevented,” the top adviser added.
All previous attempts to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide in Israel have failed. The decision came amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel, with Ankara accusing Netanyahu’s government of committing genocide in Gaza.
The Armenian government has been cautious in its response to the discussions. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in response to a question, last month said: “We see no need to respond, because we believe that not engaging in the issue of the weaponization of the Armenian Genocide is in the interests of the Republic of Armenia.”
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