“I’M WITH YOU”: YAIR AURON TO CONTINUE STRUGGLE FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

10:07, 27 February, 2015

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 27, ARMENPRESS: Ahead of the centennial of the
Armenian Genocide, the Armenians of the world and their friends are
going to commemorate the innocent victims of the Great Genocide on
April 24. Armenpress had a talk with the famous Israeli scientist,
expert of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, racism and modern Jewish
studies, the associate professor of the Open University of Israel Yair
Auronabout his views to reach recognition of the Armenian Genocide
by Israel.

– During the visit to Stepanakert you stated that upon the return
to Israel you will continue the struggle for the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. How are you going to do that?

– I tell about it everywhere and not only there (smiling). I teach
“Armenian Genocide and General Genocide” at the Open University of
Israel. Every year we have 4500 students, which is a great number
and there is a textbook on the Armenian Genocide included in the
educational program. This is one of the versions. Besides, we have
initiated a public petition, asking the government to recognize the
Armenian Genocide. We hope to submit it by April 24. Though I have
little doubts about it but we have a great number of signatures. I
have a great belief towards the education and invest my efforts in
this area.

– How does the population of Israel treat the Armenian Genocide fact?

Do they know about the massacres of the Armenians in the beginning
of the 20th century?

– Certainly, by means of the television, newspapers and academic
literature, people now know more than they used to in the past. You
know, when Israeli people learn about the Armenian Genocide, the vast
majority of them identify them with you. The thing is that in the
past they did not know about the Genocide, like as they do not know
anything about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Though when they know,
they are with you.

– What do you think, if the society recognizes the Armenian Genocide,
will it change the position of the state on the Armenians’ killing
by the Ottoman Turks?

– No, maybe later but not now. The government pursues disgusting
interests and, unfortunately, it would not recognize the Armenian
Genocide. It is unacceptable for me, though, this is the reality.

Though in Israel there are parties, which support the Armenian
Cause, but the government refuses to accept that fact. Maybe, in
case of availability of some conditions, the parliament recognizes
the Armenian Genocide, but the government will not do it.