# Israel's Cabinet Formally Recognizes Armenian Genocide After Decades of Silence, Drawing Rebuke From Turkey

*2026-06-30 10:02 UTC · Other · 1 min read*

> Israel's cabinet unanimously recognized the Armenian Genocide for the first time, joining 32 other nations in acknowledging the Ottoman-era mass killings of 1915-1916.

Israel's government unanimously voted on Sunday to formally recognize the mass killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar championed the resolution, stating Israel had "fulfilled a moral duty by recognizing the historical truth." The decision ends decades of deliberate avoidance, during which Israel refrained from recognition to preserve diplomatic ties with Ankara.

The killings occurred between 1915 and 1916, when the Ottoman Empire systematically deported and murdered an estimated 664,000 to 1.2 million Armenians. Israel becomes the 33rd UN member state to formally recognize the genocide, joining the United States, France, Germany, and Russia. The cabinet resolution still requires ratification by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, before it takes full legal effect.

Turkey reacted swiftly, calling the decision "politically motivated" and a direct result of the two countries' deteriorating relationship since Israel's military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023. Once close strategic allies, Israel and Turkey have traded increasingly sharp diplomatic rebukes over the past three years. The recognition marks a significant shift in Israeli foreign policy — and closes a long chapter in which Israel stood apart from most Western nations on the question of the Armenian Genocide.

## Sources

- [euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/2026/06/28/israels-government-formally-recognises-the-armenian-genocide-committed-during-world-war-i)
- [hngn.com](https://www.hngn.com/articles/271804/20260629/israel-recognizes-armenian-genocide-after-decades-silence-drawing-immediate-rebuke-turkey.htm)

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TechTools News · https://techtools.cz/tools/news/article/1918-israel-s-cabinet-formally-recognizes-armenian-genocide-after-decades-of-silence
Česká verze: https://techtools.cz/tools/news/clanek/1991-izraelsky-kabinet-formalne-uznal-armenskou-genocidu-po-desetiletich-mlceni