Israel Delays Final Vote on Recognizing Armenian Genocide Until After Elections

A planned vote in Israel’s parliament on officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide has been postponed, delaying a decision that many expected would cement the Israeli government’s historic policy shift.

The delay comes just weeks after Israel’s Cabinet unanimously approved the recognition proposal and sent it to the Knesset for final approval. That government decision is the first time Israel formally backed recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

JNS, citing an Israeli official, reported that the parliamentary vote was suspended because of the current diplomatic climate in the region. Relations between Israel and Turkey have worsened in recent months during the war in Gaza and repeated criticism of Israel by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who presented the proposal to the Cabinet, previously called recognition a matter of historical justice and said it was the right course of action. The Associated Press reported that the government also pointed to Turkey’s longstanding denial and distortion of the historical record surrounding the Armenian Genocide when explaining its decision.

Turkey strongly condemned Israel’s move, describing it as politically motivated. According to JNS, postponing the Knesset vote could be part of broader diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Israel and Turkey during an already volatile period.

Azerbaijan also criticized the Israeli government’s decision last month and urged it to reverse course, JNS reported. Baku maintains close ties with both Israel and Turkey and has long sought to preserve its relationships with the two countries.

The Knesset is expected to begin its summer recess later this week. According to JNS, lawmakers are not expected to reconvene before Israel’s national elections on Oct. 27, meaning the recognition vote will remain on hold until after the new parliamentary session begins.

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