Armenian PM says country will not weaponize 1915 genocide amid Israel recognition move

Israel announced this week that it will formally recognize the 1915‑1917 killings of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman forces as genocide, joining a growing list of countries that have taken the step. The decision follows a parliamentary vote and a statement from the foreign ministry, which cited historical documentation and the moral imperative to acknowledge the atrocities. Israeli officials said the move reflects a broader commitment to confronting historical injustices, even as it arrives amid heightened scrutiny of Israel’s own conduct in the Gaza conflict.

The recognition is expected to reverberate across the region, particularly in Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has responded by accusing Israel of perpetrating a contemporary genocide in Gaza. Analysts also note potential diplomatic strain with Azerbaijan, a strategic partner of both Israel and Ankara, which may be forced to navigate competing loyalties. Observers suggest the development could reshape diplomatic calculations in the Middle East, adding another layer of complexity to already tense inter‑state relations.