KNESSET TO DISCUSS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Amnon Meranda

Ynetnews
/0,7340,L-3524126,00.html
March 26 2008
Israel

Knesset accepts Oron’s initiative, will discuss mass murder of 1.5
million Armenians during early 20th century. Oron: ‘Certain ethical
dilemmas cannot be avoided’

In an unprecedented move, the Knesset decided on Wednesday to appoint
a committee to discuss the Armenian genocide that occurred during
World War I.

The decision was based on a proposal made by Meretz-Yahad Chairman
Chaim Oron. 11 Knesset members voted in favor of the proposal, and
none were opposed or abstained. Oron requested that the Knesset’s
Education Committee hold the discussion.

Armenian genocide remembrance day ceremony. (Photo: AP)

"It is only proper that the Knesset, which officially represents
the Jewish people, recognize the Armenian genocide," said Oron. "It
is especially important at present, as we are dealing with so many
cases of holocaust denial. There are certain ethical dilemmas that
cannot be avoided. I am aware of Turkey’s objection to the matter,
but I believe this is a subject that the Knesset must discuss."

Knesset Member Zeev Elkin (Kadima) said, "I am proud of our efforts,
which have brought on this historical achievement, and which other
parliaments in the world have succeeded in doing a while ago. Israel
should have been among the first countries in the world to recognize
this genocide."

The Armenian genocide 90% of the Armenian population residing within
the territories controlled by the Ottoman Empire were murdered or
deported during the massacre. 1.5 million Armenians were murdered or
died of starvation and disease during the period between 1894 and 1918.

The slaughter of the Armenian people is considered by many to be
the first genocide of large proportions of the 20th century. Turkey
has denied reports of the massacre, calling the event a war with the
Armenian people, and claiming that many of the Armenians were simply
transferred to different areas of the empire.

April 24 marks an international day of remembrance for the Armenian
genocide, and every year Armenians from all over the world gather to
mark the occasion.

In October 2007 the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations approved
a bill naming the slaughter of the Armenians genocide. Prior to the
vote on this matter, US President George Bush said that the bill was
not the answer to the massacre, and that its approval was likely to
damage relations with Turkey.

In October of 2006 Turkey suspended its military relations with France
due to a French law passed, making the denial of the Armenian genocide
illegal in the country.