Israel Advances Recognition of Armenian Genocide Over 1.5 Million World War I Victims

Israel’s Cabinet has unanimously approved a proposal to formally recognise the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide, marking a significant political and diplomatic shift in its long-standing position on the issue. The decision, taken on Sunday, still requires approval from the country’s parliament before it becomes official policy.

The move reflects a notable deterioration in relations between Israel and Turkey, which has consistently opposed international recognition of the 1915 killings as genocide. Turkey has actively lobbied governments around the world to prevent such designations, maintaining that the deaths occurred during the collapse of the Ottoman Empire amid civil unrest and conflict, rather than as part of a systematic extermination campaign.

Historians widely estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed during the final years of the Ottoman Empire around World War I. Many scholars and numerous countries recognise the killings as one of the first genocides of the 20th century, citing evidence of organised mass deportations and killings. However, Turkey continues to reject the genocide label, arguing that casualty figures have been exaggerated and that both Armenians and Turks suffered heavy losses during wartime instability.

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For decades, Israel avoided formally addressing the issue of Armenian genocide recognition, largely out of concern for maintaining diplomatic and strategic ties with Turkey. In earlier years, Ankara was considered an important regional partner for Israel, particularly in defence cooperation and trade, which contributed to Israel’s cautious stance on the historical debate.

However, relations between the two countries have significantly worsened over the past two decades, particularly in the wake of recent conflicts involving Gaza, Lebanon, and broader regional tensions. The diplomatic strain has gradually reshaped Israel’s foreign policy calculations, creating space for a reassessment of previously sensitive historical and political positions.

The Cabinet’s approval is seen as a symbolic but consequential step that aligns Israel with a growing number of countries that officially recognise the Armenian genocide. If endorsed by parliament, the decision would further deepen the diplomatic rift between Israel and Turkey, while also reinforcing global discussions around historical accountability and recognition of mass atrocities.

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