SYDNEY: The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies (NSW JBD) have released a powerful statement on the occasion of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, "calling on all nations and all governments to cast aside political differences and recognise the truth of what occurred 104 years ago".

The statement sent to the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) by the officially-elected representative roof-body and voice of the Jewish community of Australia's largest state of New South Wales, signed by President Lesli Berger and CEO Vic Alhadeff, clearly articulates the importance of recognition of the Armenian Genocide by both Australia and Israel, among other nations yet to recognise the genocide of 1915 for what it clearly was.

It reads: "The NSW Jewish community stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its friends in the Armenian community in calling on all nations and all governments to cast aside political differences and recognise the truth of what occurred 104 years ago."

"We do not have the luxury of looking away," the statement adds. "We have a duty to current and future generations to ensure that they know, to ensure that they understand. Failure to do so puts us all at risk."

ANC-AU Executive Director, Haig Kayserian thanked the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies for their principled stance.

"As we continue to make inroads in convincing the Australian Government of the importance of recognising the Armenian Genocide, we greatly appreciate this gesture from the New South Jewish Board of Deputies, through their President Mr. Lesli Berger and their CEO Mr. Vic Alhadeff, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our community until this is achieved," Kayserian said.

"It is not lost on our community, that by calling on all nations and all governments to recognise the Armenian Genocide, this influential organisation of Jewish leaders is also calling out Israel to join the side of truth in our fight for justice," he added. "Armenians thank the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies and look forward to working with them in achieving this, among many other, mutual goals."


The full statement from the NSW JBD is below:

"With every passing year taking us further away from the horrific events of the Armenian Genocide, the imperative to ensure that the global community is aware of what happened, and understands what happened, grows ever more acute.

The NSW Jewish community stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its friends in the Armenian community in calling on all nations and all governments to cast aside political differences and recognise the truth of what occurred 104 years ago.

We do not have the luxury of looking away. We have a duty to current and future generations to ensure that they know, to ensure that they understand. Failure to do so puts us all at risk.

Signed – Lesli Berger, president; and Vic Alhadeff, CEO; NSW Jewish Board of Deputies"