Author: Jane Topchian

Have you checked your investments lately?

Jane Topchian
 Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian Keeping the Faith, Columns 0

Whether we know it or not, all of us are investors. Whether we are in the stock market or have another financial interest, all of us are involved in some kind of investment. The question is: Where do we invest? After we take care of the basics of food, shelter and clothing, where do we invest our time and substance? Certainly, where we invest tells what we are really interested in and where we think life’s best values are.

As for investments, money is not one’s most important investment. The pursuit of a meaningful life is more important than money. The people you love are more important than money as a long-term investment.

Although many people invest in material things, there are others who invest in intellectual, cultural and spiritual values. These types of investments are very important and life-changing. Below are some of them.

Investment in the family. Since the dawn of creation, the time of the very first family, God has chosen to trust earthly, frail human parents with the task of raising their children and molding their character. Undoubtedly, the well-being of a nation and its institutions is dependent on the integrity of its families.

We can invest in creating and strengthening the family by strengthening the ties of communication among family members. We can encourage parents and children to spend more time at home and maintain family unity through loyalty. Above all, we can help the family by enabling its members to surrender their lives to God.

Investment in knowledge and letting knowledge ripen to wisdom. The pursuit of knowledge is very important to society’s development. Knowledge is information that one possesses, whereas wisdom is good judgment or discernment for what is true and right, and one’s ability to put knowledge to good use.

In an age of increased specialization, our society needs people who will strive to cultivate the human side of their nature just as they push their mental horizons – people who educate their hearts as much as their heads. Thus, we must invest in education and Christian education for the sake of a sound and solid community life. Such an investment cannot be stolen, cannot be destroyed by fire and storms, and can never go bankrupt.

Investment in culture. Every nation is characterized by its culture. Culture is the physical, social and spiritual heritage of a people at a given time or over all time. It is the total body of material artifacts, works of art, collective, mental and spiritual ideas, beliefs, customs and values transmitted from generation to generation.

In all cultures, there is a multiplicity of elements, such as language, drama, architecture, painting, music and dancing. Sometimes if one of these elements is lost, the culture can survive on the strength of other elements. It is the cultural totality that preserves the culture of a people.

We are called to commit ourselves to the survival of our culture by preserving and perpetuating our heritage through our moral and financial support.

Investment in church. The church plays a very important role in the lives of people. Civilization depends upon its religious beliefs and convictions. No other institution can replace the church in cultivating and implementing the religious convictions needed in the civilizing process. The church offers the opportunity to worship God as revealed through Jesus Christ. It offers the opportunity to impart religious education for all ages. It also offers the opportunity to belong to a community of support and service.

We can invest in the church by our regular presence and participation, by recruiting others, and by our financial and moral support.

Investment in a good name. The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1). A good name is synonymous with good character. It is more important than all the college degrees, public titles or knowledge that one might accumulate in a lifetime. It is the one thing over which every adult has total, personal control in virtually all circumstances. It may be what others, friends and even foes, will remember about us more than anything else.

Building character is not an easy task; it is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It is a life-long endeavor to study, learn, emulate and practice. It is to be learned from literature and especially from the book of life, the Bible. It is to emulate the greatest master, Jesus Christ Himself.

Investment in a personal experience of being in tune with God. Truth becomes effective and convincing at the level of personal experience. There is no substitute for personal experience. Having a personal experience with God is the most important investment. Jesus, the ultimate investment counselor says, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man gives you.” Jesus taught that the most basic investment of our lives is our commitment to God. He put it in these words, “Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matt. 6:33). He summed up this whole matter of what we invest ourselves in with two searching questions: “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul” (Mark 8:36-37). All of us are dealing with these questions daily, either consciously or unconsciously, as we build the investment portfolio of our lives and choose those things in which we invest our substance and ourselves.

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Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian is the Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council.


UAE Vice President invites Armenian Defense Minister to attend Dubai Air Show

Jane Topchian

 13:11,

YEREVAN, JULY 17, ARMENPRESS. The United Arab Emirates Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has invited Armenian Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan to attend the 2023 Dubai Air Show in November.

The invitation was conveyed to Papikyan by the newly appointed UAE Ambassador to Armenia Nariman Mohammed Sharif Abdulla AlMulla during a meeting on July 17.

Minister Papikyan and Ambassador Nariman Mohammed Sharif Abdulla AlMulla also discussed “issues related to the Armenian-Emirati defense cooperation”, the ministry said in a readout.

The Minister of Defense congratulated the Ambassador on taking office and wished her productive activity.

Armenia calls for humanitarian organizations to be allowed access to the Nagorno-Karabakh region

Jane Topchian
Lebanon –


Armenia called on Wednesday for international humanitarian organizations to be allowed entry into the Nagorno-Karabakh region following Azerbaijan’s closure of the only road connecting Armenia to the breakaway region.

Local residents reported empty store shelves in the region, while health authorities warned of the lack of essential healthcare services, especially for children.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan announced the suspension of movement through the Lachin Corridor, accusing the Armenian Red Cross of engaging in smuggling operations.

However, the International Committee of the Red Cross denied these accusations, confirming that no unauthorized goods were found in their vehicles.

The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Wednesday that this move “aims to create unfavorable conditions for the people of Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The statement added, “It is regrettable that during these months, the international community and international humanitarian organizations have been unable to gain humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh.”

The statement emphasized that such access is “essential to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Residents of Stepanakert, the main city in the region, reported food shortages and severe difficulties in accessing medical services.

Health Minister of the separatist government, Vardan Tadevosyan, stated that over 180 individuals, including “two critically ill children,” need to be transported to Armenia for medical treatment.

Kegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Ombudsman in Karabakh, noted that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly.

He said, “For patients and medications, the situation is worsening day by day,” warning that the population is now threatened by “hunger.”

On Wednesday, the United States and France expressed their concern over the temporary closure of the Lachin Corridor and urged Azerbaijan to allow freedom of movement again.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, according to the State Department, emphasizing the “need to ensure freedom of movement (…) through this corridor.”

French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anne Claire Legendre stated, “Freedom of movement through the corridor must be restored, based on the decision of the International Court of Justice ruling on this matter on February 22, 2023.”

The two former Soviet republics have been in conflict over control of Nagorno-Karabakh since the late 1980s, resulting in two wars, with the second one in 2020 leading to the defeat of Armenian forces and a Russian-brokered agreement between the parties.

Under the agreement, the Lachin Corridor was supposed to be operated by Russian peacekeeping forces to ensure freedom of movement between Armenia and Karabakh.

 
AFP

Central Bank of Armenia: exchange rates and prices of precious metals – 12-07-23

Jane Topchian

 17:24,

YEREVAN, 12 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 12 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.91 drams to 386.26 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.38 drams to 425.70 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.03 drams to 4.26 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.02 drams to 498.93 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 82.21 drams to 24016.85 drams. Silver price up by 0.50 drams to 287.30 drams.

Armenian Minister of Labor and Social Affairs meet with Prince Michael of Kent in UK

Jane Topchian

 11:18, 7 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan has met with Prince Michael of Kent at the Kensington Palace during his visit to the UK.

The programs and results of cooperation with NGOs and charitable organizations, associations and foundations working in the social protection sector of the two countries were discussed, the ministry said in a press release.

Stressing the importance of public-private partnership, Mkrtchyan presented the services rendered by Armenian organizations to children, persons with disabilities and others.

Prince Michael of Kent spoke about his involvement in nearly 100 charitable and other organizations, his public work, awareness campaign on the rights of vulnerable groups, a part of which is financed by his family. Services rendered to children with disabilities and children deprived of family environment, foster family care and alternative care types were discussed.

Both sides emphasized ensuring the best interest of the children to create a safer and better environment for them in the foundation of the reforms in the children rights protection system.

Ilham Aliyev: "Armenian military formations on the ground must be disarmed"

Jane Topchian
July 5 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Baku

Aliyev on the settlement of the situation in Karabakh

Touching upon the issue of resolving the situation around the part of Karabakh where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily located, the President of Azerbaijan said: “If Armenia is really interested in achieving the long-awaited peace in the region, then its armed forces should completely leave the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The Armenian military and paramilitary formations on the ground must be disarmed.”

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A ministerial meeting of the coordinating bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement on the theme “Non-Aligned Movement: united and unshakable in confronting emerging challenges” was held today in Baku.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev spoke at the meeting.

Ilham Aliyev in his speech pointed out the importance of new international organizations, especially the Non-Aligned Movement. According to him, this association of states must find its place in the new restructuring world order:

“At present, international organizations, in particular the UN, do not live up to the expectations of mankind. The UN must inevitably go through serious reforms. The UN Security Council is a relic of the past and does not reflect the current reality. We are in favor of expanding the membership of the Security Council to make it more representative and geographically fair. I am glad that today there is a growing consensus in the world on this issue.

As I have noted, one permanent seat on the UN Security Council should be given to the Non-Aligned Movement. The countries holding the presidency of the NAM, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union should have their seats on the UN Security Council on a rotational basis with the right of veto.”

The President of Azerbaijan criticized France, accusing this country of neo-colonialism:

“Azerbaijan is very concerned about the growing trend towards neo-colonialism. The Non-Aligned Movement, created as a result of the decolonization process, must resolutely combat this shameful legacy of the past and contribute to its complete eradication.

One of the countries that still continues the policy of neo-colonialism is France. The French-ruled territories outside of Europe are the ugly remnants of the French colonial empire. France must respect the sovereignty of the Comoros over the island of Mayotte, as well as the rights of the people of New Caledonia and other peoples of the French overseas communities and territories.

Nearly 1.5 million Algerians were killed during the genocide under French rule. The skulls of the Algerian freedom fighters are still kept in the Paris Museum as war trophies. It’s cynical and disgusting. We demand that French President Emmanuel Macron hand over the remains of his heroes to Algeria.”

The resolution of the French Senate is another policy of blackmail against Azerbaijan, according to the South Caucasus Analytical Center

Aliyev also stated that France interferes in the internal affairs of other states and supports “Armenian separatism” in Karabakh:

“France, falsely positioning itself as a defender of human rights and international law, continues to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The recent withdrawal of French troops from Mali and Burkina Faso has once again demonstrated that France’s outrageous policy of neo-colonialism in Africa is doomed to failure.

Unfortunately, France is trying to impose the same vicious practice in the South Caucasus region by supporting Armenian separatism in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and using geopolitical rivalry, foreign military presence and the colonial policy of Orientalism.”

“France even bans the Corsican language and does not accept the concept of ethnic minorities, while at the same time trying to present itself as a defender of the Armenian minority in Azerbaijan. This is nothing but hypocrisy and double standards. Instead of trying to lecture others, the French authorities should fight these disturbing trends in their own country.”

The Azerbaijani leader called on the leadership of France to apologize:

“A few days ago, the King of the Netherlands officially apologized for his country’s colonial past and involvement in the slave trade. We encourage his French counterpart to do the same. Better late than never.

An apology to the millions of people whom his predecessors colonized, used as slaves, killed, tortured and humiliated will not only be an acknowledgment of France’s historical guilt, but will also help her overcome the consequences of the deep political, social and humanitarian crisis in which she found herself after the brutal murder Algerian teenager.

Aliyev in his speech commented on the tension on the border of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan with Armenia:

“Armenia continues to arrange a cross-border environmental disaster, this time along the border with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

Thus, Armenia violates its obligations arising from the 1991 Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention), which clearly states that the countries concerned must consult with each other in order to avoid adverse transboundary impacts.”

He also touched upon the process of peace negotiations with Armenia and spoke about the situation in the region:

“Shortly after the end of the conflict, Azerbaijan presented five basic principles for signing a peace treaty with Armenia based on mutual recognition of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Although Armenia was forced to recognize Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan, there are still remnants of the Armenian armed forces in the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed. If Armenia is really interested in achieving the long-awaited peace in the region, then its armed forces should completely leave the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. The Armenian military and paramilitary formations on the ground must be disarmed.

Armenia is also preventing the opening of the Zangezur corridor, which was supposed to connect the mainland of Azerbaijan with the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, which is another obligation of Armenia stemming from the act of surrender signed almost three years ago.”

https://jam-news.net/ilham-aliyev-armenian-military-formations-on-the-ground-must-be-disarmed/

Ambassador of Lithuania presents credentials to President Khachaturyan

Jane Topchian

 16:55, 4 July 2023

YEREVAN, JULY 4, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador of Lithuania Andrius Pulokas presented his credentials to President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan on July 4.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan congratulated the newly appointed ambassador on assuming office and wished him success in fulfilling his responsible mission, the presidency said in a readout.

“The cooperation between our two countries covers quite a wide range and I am confident that through your appointment we will truly activate and expand its scope. Therefore, we have a lot to do. I am pleased to congratulate you once again on your appointment,” President Khachaturyan noted.

Ambassador Andrius Pulokas expressed gratitude for the reception and noted, “For me, it is a special mission to make our friendship, our relations and cooperation more comprehensive and visible for our peoples and society.”

During the meeting, the President highly valued the friendly relations and cooperation established between Armenia and Lithuania since the independence of Armenia both on bilateral and international platforms. The President specifically emphasized the effective cooperation of the two countries within the framework of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership.

Touching upon the Armenian-Lithuanian close cooperation, the newly appointed Ambassador noted that the visit of President Vahagn Khachaturyan to Lithuania at the beginning of the year significantly fostered the cooperation in trade, economy, business and other spheres of the two countries.

During the discussion, President Khachaturyan introduced the details of the implemented and ongoing reforms in the domestic life of Armenia, continuous changes and flexible developments in the economy. The President emphasized that the present Government pays special attention to the fields of science and high technology which is another opportunity for effective interaction and the use of Lithuanian best practices in these fields.

In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed the issues and opportunities related to the exercise of the existing potential of cooperation between Armenia and Lithuania in the fields of trade, economy, education, science, high technologies and digitalization.

Both sides emphasized mutual high-level visits between the two countries and the promotion of multi-level cooperation resulting from them.

Jerusalem’s Armenian Quarter faces upheaval

Jane Topchian
June 2 2023
Tania Krämer in Jerusalem

Armenian Christians are worried about the future of their neighborhood in east Jerusalem’s Old City. A shady real estate deal has brought uncertainty to the city’s Armenian Quarter.

For the past couple of weeks, Hagop Djernazian, an Armenian youth activist, has been one of the organizers of weekly protests in what’s known as the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City. The neighborhood is home to around 2,000 Armenian Christians, a community that has been there for hundreds of years.

“We are going through very difficult times. In my opinion this is our last battle, not just as an Armenian community but as Christians,” Djernazian told DW. “When I say the last battle, it means we need to protect what we have.”

Djernazian is talking about a shady real estate deal that has shaken many in this tight-knit community to the core and reverberated well beyond the walls of the Old City in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. Any piece of real estate in the walled Old City, barely 1 square kilometer in size (about 0.35 square miles), is politically important and much sought-after.

The little that is known about the real estate deal is that it involves approximately 25% of the Armenian Quarter. Land located within the Old City walls was leased for 99 years to a commercial entity owned by a Jewish-Australian businessman, to reportedly develop a luxury hotel complex. It mainly involves a large parking lot, one of the few open areas in the densely built ancient city and a prime area for potential real estate. 

“We have become detectives, every week we are finding out new information,” said George Hintlian, an Armenian historian, who describes the developments as “cultural suicide.”

In April, residents said, Israeli land surveyors inspected the area and the new owner marked out the parking lot with company signs in Hebrew and English. But residents have since learned that the scope of the lease is much larger and allegedly entails the entire area commonly known as the Cows’ Garden. Today, this area houses the Armenian seminary, the homes of several Armenian families, a restaurant, the community’s printing press and a cultural hall. 

The lease was reportedly signed by the Armenian patriarch, Nourhan Manougian, the head of the Armenian Christian community in Jerusalem. According to media reports, he has denied any wrongdoing, instead blaming a local priest who headed the real estate department for deceiving him. The now-defrocked priest has since left for the US state of California.

The patriarch is said to be mostly confined to his quarters at the Armenian Convent of Saint James, sources in the community have said. The Patriarchate did not respond to DW’s requests for an interview.

Both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah II — who is the custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in east Jerusalem — have suspended their recognition of Manougian. This affects his ability to run the community’s civil and religious affairs.

Meanwhile, the community is looking for answers. Apparently, the deal was done without the oversight of the Armenian synod, a body which oversees the church’s affairs. But it is unclear whether this could prove essential to cancel the deal.

“We are all very upset, and we need to do everything to revoke this illegal contract,” said activist Djernazian. The 23-year-old said the secrecy and the way that issues were dealt with have broken the trust between residents and some parts of the Armenian clergy.

“We have always warned the patriarch: You can’t lease anything, not even for one year. The Greek Patriarchate is the best example — the land will never return to you,” he said.

Djernazian is referring to the recent takeover of parts of the Palestinian-run Petra Hotel near Jaffa Gate by an Israeli settler organization. This property inside the Old City, in the neighboring Christian Quarter, was signed away about 20 years ago in an alleged deal with a foreign firm acting as a front for an extremist Israeli settler organization, which wants to see a Jewish majority established in the Old City. Former Greek patriarch Irenaeus I was subsequently ousted after the deal came to light.

In interviews given from the US to media outlets, the demoted Armenian priest, who has denied any wrongdoing, claims the developer is not politically motivated.

The deal reflects the political sensitivity of the situation in Jerusalem, and one of the core issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Israel captured east Jerusalem — including the Old City — from Jordan after the war in 1967. It later annexed the area and declared the city Israel’s undivided capital, in a move that is not recognized internationally. Palestinians seek to establish their own capital in east Jerusalem in any future state. Any major change in the social fabric of the Old City, and every plot of land, has political impact.

Residents have now placed their hopes on a group of lawyers from the US and Armenia who carried out a fact-finding mission in early June. Their report and recommendations are expected to be released soon.

Speaking in the courtyard of the Armenian Convent of Saint James, attorney Garo Ghazarian, of Los Angeles, said “the absolute value in the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem lies in the integrity of all its components … Handing [it] over to some private organization for commercial purpose, we must be mindful of the credible risk of displacement which stands to threaten Armenians who have lived in the quarter since historical times.”

For many Armenians, the act of signing away land in the Armenian Quarter has sent the community into uncharted territory. Armenians have long had historical ties to Jerusalem; their ancestors came to the region over 1,500 years ago. After 1915, many more fled to Jerusalem from parts of the former Ottoman Empire where they were threatened with genocide.

Their quarter is the smallest of the four neighborhoods in Jerusalem’s Old City and sits next to the Jewish and the Christian Quarters. The Armenian Convent of Saint James is at the heart of this community and its social life, with youth clubs and even its own football pitch. It’s right next to the land that has been allegedly leased. Additionally, residents say young Armenians already have a hard time finding housing, and signing away land will just exacerbate the many pressures on the dwindling community.

“The lease of the land will change the status quo and mosaic of Jerusalem,” warned Djernazian. It comes at a time when the Christian community in Jerusalem has seen an increase in attacks by Jewish Israeli extremists in recent months.

In January, some restaurants in the Christian Quarter were attacked by far-right Israeli extremists. Monks, nuns and priests who live in the Old City frequently report being spat at or harassed, and churches and cemeteries have been vandalized. Church leaders and residents have blamed Israel’s far-right government for a culture that rarely prosecutes the culprits.

For young Christians like Djernazian, this makes it even more important to create awareness of what is happening with the land deal in the Armenian Quarter. “For me, this is a joint battle for all Christians, it is not just the Armenians. This should be a joint fight to preserve the Christian presence in Jerusalem.”

"Armenia’s economic growth potential is not infinite." Opinion

Jane Topchian
  • JAMnews
  • Yerevan

Economic activity index of Armenia

“Armenia’s economic growth potential is not infinite, the current indicators will gradually slow down. But as long as inflows remain, we will see high rates,” economist Narek Karapetyan says on the latest data published by the Armenian Statistical Committee. According to the analysis of indicators for January-May 2023, the country’s economic activity index rose by 12.5% compared to the same period last year.

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Compared with the first 5 months of the previous year, the volume of foreign trade increased by 86.9%, exports increased by 93.3%, imports by 83.3%.

“The growth in trade turnover in January-May compared to January-May 2022 amounted to 24.5%. Over the same period, the volume of services provided increased by 19.9%,” the statistical committee reports.

The volume of construction work increased by 16.7%, and industrial output by only 3%.

The ratings agency gives Armenia a sovereign rating of “Ba3”

Expert at the Amberd Analytical Center, economist Narek Karapetyan believes that “the economic developments in January-May 2023 continue the trends of the second half of the previous year.”

He believes that 80% of export growth is accounted for by re-export and explains that it is possible to understand by the types of products whether we are dealing with export or re-export. According to Karapetyan, Armenia does not produce enough electrical equipment to export. Therefore, in this case, we are definitely talking about re-export.

As for “traditional” exports, the economist said they were “hard hit” by the exchange rate.

According to him, high levels of trade turnover were also affected by re-export.

“There is a second factor: the influx of both capital and people continues, although not as rapidly as before. These trends also determine the continuity of growth,” the expert says.

He notes that certain changes are observed in the structure of economic growth:

“They are neither positive nor negative, they just do not lead to the economic model of our dreams and create prerequisites for less sustainable economy. A service-based economy is less resilient to external shocks and changes in external demand.”

Reminds that Armenia has a small economy, and the country has limited domestic demand. The Economist emphasizes that in such cases, for development, “the emphasis is on exports.” And Armenia, according to him, continues to move within the framework of the general trend of growth of services that are subject to domestic consumption:

“We all would like to see an economy in which sectors producing competitive products that could be exported have more weight. First of all, we are talking about the manufacturing industry. The growth of this sector of the economy could determine the movement towards the model that we imagine.”

The expert is sure that it is the development of the export direction

  • strengthens the foundations of the economy,
  • positions the economy in global economic chains,
  • creates the basis for more stable and long-term growth.

Karapetyan believes that the state, which owns the tools of economic policy, can direct the available resources to create “the desired economic structure and dynamics.”

https://jam-news.net/economic-activity-index-of-armenia/

Armenians hope to improve Israel ties, citing similar history

Jane Topchian

Israel –
Emily Schrader
While Christians, including Armenians, have come under attack by extremist religious Jews, officials in Armenia express admiration for Israel and hope to see ties grow despite concerns over Israeli weapons arming neighboring Azerbaijan in their military conflict.

For thousands of years the Jewish people have had close relations with the Armenian people and not for no reason — Armenians have had a presence in the land of Israel for thousands of years, with an entire quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem being named after their civilization in the holy land.
Much like Israel, modern Armenia is a functioning democracy, home to Christians, Muslims, and Jews, and it is also closely affiliated with Christianity as Armenia was the first Christian nation in history.

Historically, their fate is strikingly similar to Jews: they suffered a genocide in 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks — a genocide in which Armenians were brutally raped, tortured, robbed, sent on death marches, drowned, burned, and humiliated for no other reason than that they were Christians.

Approximately 1.5 million Armenians were murdered in the Armenian Genocide, across the Turkish Empire, a crime against humanity which the modern successor of the Ottomans, Turkey, has never taken responsibility for. Sadly, genocide recognition has become a political ploy for Turkey to blackmail and harass allies into silence for fear of retribution from Turkey. For that reason, Israel — the nation state of the people who suffered the Holocaust, has not recognised the Armenian Genocide in a truly disgraceful moral failure.
As a result of the Genocide, the need for independence and survival has been a core value in the ethos of Armenian society – similar to Israel.
Armenia’s challenges, social structure, values, diaspora community, territorial disputes, and even the existential threats are all similar to Israel, so much so that Armenians — from the president himself to the average citizen, say that Israel is a profound inspiration for how to overcome challenges as a targeted minority. President Vahagn Khachaturyan said publicly that he gave a copy of Start-Up Nation, a book describing the rise of Israel’s high-tech industry, to every minister in the government to be used as inspiration.

Armenia is a young nation that became independent only after the fall of the Soviet Union. It has a conservative society but is a democracy despite being surrounded by authoritarian regimes. And like Israel, it has a large, close-knit diaspora spread around the world.
Armenians view an independent nation-state, as a necessity for the survival of the Armenian people after they had suffered national tragedies. Some in society admire the Israeli model so much, that they established a program to bring people of Armenian heritage to the country much like Israel’s Birthright outreach program to Diaspora Jews, and anyone with one Armenian grandparent is eligible for citizenship as well as a host of benefits — as Jewish immigrants to Israel enjoy.

In the case of Azerbaijan, the Shia Muslim nation has launched multiple wars over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region within the post-Soviet territory of Azerbaijan, adjacent to modern Armenia, which contains a majority Armenian population that has been targeted for ethnic cleansing by the Azeris.
Azerbaijan has waged a war of words and weapons against Armenia with incitement against Armenians, and the military operations which Azerbaijan fought against Armenia in 2020 and 2022, as a result of Israeli weapons sold to Azerbaijan, saw Azeri war crimes targeting Armenian churches and civilian locations as well as invading and occupying sovereign Armenian territory in multiple locations.
Today, as a result of Armenia losing the war in 2022, there is a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh due to the Azeri blockade which does not permit Armenians to return to Nagorno-Karabakh if they leave. There are currently peace talks taking with international brokers, but the truth is that Azerbaijan has not kept its word in previous ceasefires and Armenians have almost no faith in their Azeri counterpoints due to the incitement and continued violence against Armenians, including the killing of 4 Armenians by Azeri troops just a few days ago during the negotiations.
Jermuk is situated near the Azeri border where Azerbaijan invaded sovereign Armenian territory in 2022, and continues to illegally occupy the land. Marine, an Armenian who was present when Azerbaijan invaded in 2022, told Ynet, “I know that Azeris and Turks – they’re normal people…I’m sure that they also don’t want to have war. But why are they doing that [bombing Armenia]? I don’t know. But Armenians were strong, are strong, and will be strong. I’m living here, my friends are living here…and we just want to live and create in peace.”
“It’s our land and we don’t want to leave this beautiful city or our beautiful Armenia,” she said.
There is a certain sorrow in Armenians when it comes to Israel. They are visibly pained when talking about Israel and many of them report a feeling of betrayal over the sale of weapons to Azerbaijan. In almost every Armenian I spoke to, the sentiment was the same.
Unfortunately, much like Israel, Armenia has bad luck with neighbors: closed borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan, and only Georgia and Iran on the other sides. As Armenia is not naturally resource rich, they’ve been dependent upon Iran and Russia for their ability to survive — despite the fact they are a democratic Christian nation which wants to partner with the West over warmongering terrorist regimes if given the opportunity.
While government officials understand the importance of Israel’s relations with Azerbaijan due to the Iranian threat, it is still Armenian civilians who are paying the price. While Armenia has to do what’s necessary to survive as a state, it’s also incumbent upon the West to foster relations that enable Armenia to be stronger internally and reduce dependence on neighbors like Iran and Russia.
The United States must pursue deeper bilateral relations with Armenia to strengthen its democracy which is under existential threat. Whenever and where ever possible, the US must maintain good relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, but must not be hesitant to call out and even sanction Azerbaijan for war crimes if needed.
In the case of Israel, ties with both Turkey and Azerbaijan are critical to the security of the Jewish state — but that security shouldn’t be at the expense of selling weapons to Azerbaijan. If that requires reducing Israel’s dependence on Azeri oil, which provides 40% of Israel’s energy, then so be it.
Beyond military issues, Israel must do more to build technological and R&D ties with Armenia — especially in the fields of alternative energy and establish cultural exchange programs to expose Israeli society to Armenian society and vice versa.
Finally, Israel must formally recognize the Armenian genocide and stop allowing Turkey to blackmail them into silence. Whenever Turkey has made threats over the Armenian Genocide recognition, nothing happens in the end. Israel has an ethical obligation to right the historic wrong of refusing to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The future can be one of mutual security and success for Armenia and Israel, but only if both parties take significant steps to advance modern relations between the two nations. We already have thousands of years of friendship and every logical reason to stand with Armenia – it’s time to act on our principles.