Israel's Knesset building

TEL AVIV—The Israeli Parliament—Knesset—Committee discussed another Armenian Genocide-related measure on Wednesday dealing with assigning a memorial day for the Genocide and decided that its Education and Culture Committee discuss this new measure and make recommendation to the Knesset, reported Armenian National Committee of Jerusalem member Hagop Sevan.

The Knesset voted 25-1 to send the bill for consideration by the Education and Culture Committee. The measure was introduced by Knesset member Arie Eldad. This second resolution envisions educational programs and curricula on the Armenian Genocide to be taught on April 24.

The one vote against came from a Knesset member who is of Azeri descent.

The Israeli government representative, Uzi Landau, who is Israel’s minister of national infrastructure commented that while the government believes that Armenia and Turkey must address this issue among themselves, the government was not opposed to the discussion of the measure by the Knesset committtee.

On May 18, a motion by the Meretz party to direct the Israeli Knesset’s education committee to discuss a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide was unanimously approved.

The motion presented by Meretz delegate Zahava Gal-On also received the support of government representatives who voted for the proposal.

During the more than 30 minute debate on the Knesset floor on May 18, various party members expressed their views on the resolution. On behalf of Israel’s foreign ministry, Religion Minister, Yakkov Marki expressed ministry’s position, which was to leave the issue on the defense and foreign affairs commission, adding that Israel must support the Armenia-Turkey dialogue process.

However, Marki expressed his personal conviction affirming the Genocide and added that time has come for Israel to make a clear decision on the matter. He then proposed that the Knesset’s education committee address the matter.

Also speaking at the debate was the ruling Likud party representative, Ze’ev Elkin who supported the motion to task the education committee with the issue. Elkin’s role in the fruition of this motion was considerable.

Wednesday’s motion becomes the second bill to be discussed by the Knesset’s education committee.