Türkiye condemns Israeli cabinet's recognition of “Armenian genocide”

Türkiye has strongly condemned the Israeli cabinet's decision to approve a proposal recognising the “Armenian genocide,” calling the move politically motivated and an attempt to divert attention from Israel's conduct in Gaza.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry accused the Israeli government of using the issue to "cover up its own crimes,” Caliber.Az reports. 

“The Israeli government, which has been carrying out systematic persecution against the Palestinian people before the eyes of the entire world and is currently before the International Court of Justice in the case concerning the commission of the crime of genocide against Gazans, seeks to cover up its own crimes through the political decision it has adopted regarding the events of 1915,” the statement reads. 

The ministry described the decision as "a malicious attempt" that "disregards legal and historical facts" and argued that it reflected the "predicament of Netanyahu and his accomplices," referring to ongoing proceedings involving Israeli officials at the International Criminal Court.

Türkiye also reaffirmed its commitment to opposing Israeli policies in the region.

The response came after Israel's cabinet unanimously approved a proposal on June 28 to officially recognise “the Armenian genocide.” The measure, however, must still be approved by the Knesset before it becomes law.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who introduced the proposal, welcomed the cabinet's decision.

"It's never too late to do the right thing," Sa'ar wrote on X after the vote. "I thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for his support, and the government ministers for their unanimous approval of the resolution I initiated for Israel's recognition of the Armenian Genocide."

By Sabina Mammadli