ISRAEL SUPPORTS ARMENIANS PEOPLE IN STRUGGLE FOR HISTORIC JUSTICE
news.am
Nov 19 2009
Armenia
In the light of chill in Israeli-Turkish relations, as well as Israel
and Jewish lobby’s role in Genocide recognition, NEWS.am reporter
had a conversation with the source engaged in the matter. The source
preferred to speak on the condition of anonymity under "Aralez"
pseudonym.
Q: Israel is an active partner of Azerbaijan and strategic ally
of Turkey. Tel-Aviv is one of the major opponents of Armenia on
the Armenian Genocide issue (following Turkey). Why Armenia-Israel
relations failed to establish? What is the reason? No mutual interests?
A: Regarding the strategic alliance between Israel and Azerbaijan, the
main reason is Israel’s need of having a political ally among Islamic
countries, since Israel is in a hostile geo-political location. Other
reasons are mostly economical, since Azerbaijan is an oil rich country,
which has a financial potential and is willing to purchase Israeli
defense system, same reasons is true about Turkey.
About Israel being one of major opponents of the Armenian Genocide
recognition is my point of view, is simply not so, being an activist
for the official recognition by Israel, I know that people of Israel
support the Armenian people in their struggle for Historic justice,
the problem is the lack of awareness among the general Israeli
population and the lack of strong pro-Armenian lobby.
About why Armenia and Israel didn’t established diplomatic
relationships is because Armenia was a republic in the USSR which
was anti-Israeli in its politics. I think that right now a strong
partnership between the 2 countries is indeed possible since Armenia
is an independent country. Jewish and Armenian people have many things
in common dating to the ancient history.
As you know the Turkish-Israeli alliance is at lowest point so far,
since Turkey has decided to show her true face in international
politics, as the famous Turkish saying goes: "there is no friend
to a Turk but a Turk. Lately I hear more and more voices calling
to establish full term relationship between Israel and Armenia and
to immediately recognize the Armenian Genocide. I personally think
that both countries should do all they can to become partners on an
international level!!!
Q: Majority of U.S. congressmen confess that many issues in the
Congress and Senate are adopted under the pressure, with the approval
and bidding of Jewish lobby. It is known that Armenian lobbyists are
not less influential. What is the conflict of these lobbies’ interests?
A: On a Jewish lobby subject it’s true indeed that some groups are
trying to prevent the issue of Armenian genocide being brought up
before the US congress, never the less a growing number of Jewish
organizations in the US support the recognition on a government level,
during the Bush administration the congressmen that brought up the
discussion were Jewish.
Q: What is the state of protection of Armenian church interests in
Jerusalem? What is the true reason for disagreement between Armenian
and Greek clergy? Does Armenian church has sufficient potential to
protect its part there and right to hold services in Church of the
Holy Sepulchre?
A: Regarding the Armenian Church in Jerusalem, Israel tries to keep
the statuesque in general but in my opinion should do more in that
direction. The latest conflict between Armenian and Greek churches are
nothing new, since the early times of Christianity in the holy land
the Greek Church tried to destroy the influence of Armenian Church
in order to become the strongest in Jerusalem in same cases it ended
with Armenian blood shed. Fortunally the Armenian Church thanks to the
strong will and faith of its leaders continued to blossom until our
time. Right now the Armenian and the Armenian quarter of Jerusalem
are facing a lot of problems which could be solved with the support
of republic of Armenia, since in my personal view certain circles
in the Israeli government want to minimize the power of the Armenian
church for their political gain.