Hagop Sevan

YEREVAN (Armenpress)—Two resolutions pending in the Israeli parliament—the Knesset—will be discussed by the legislature in October, Jerusalem Armenian National Committee member Hagop Sevan told Armenpress.

The two bills, one that calls on Israel to recognize the Armenian Genocide and the other to mark April 24 as a national day of remembrance were unanimously sent to the Knesset’s education committee for review earlier.

The Knesset is in recess from early August until October.

On June 29, the Knesset voted 25-1 to send a bill that envisions educational programs and curricula on the Armenian Genocide to be taught on April 24for consideration by the Education and Culture Committee. The measure was introduced by Knesset member Arie Eldad. This second resolution

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 committee.

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.