Discussions are underway in Israel regarding the recognition of the “Armenian genocide”. The Israeli government is now preparing to submit the existing decision to the Knesset. Azerbaijan immediately reacted to the issue. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called on Israel to reconsider the decision.
Yıldırım Tuğrul, a deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), told Modern.az that Israel wants to cover up its shame:
“What Israel has done in the last 1-2 years has been called a threat to peace by world countries and international structures. Now they are trying to bring out some events to cover up their shame. However, these attempts should not be taken seriously. Such topics can be evaluated with serious people. By what right can the Knesset look into such topics? These are idle matters.”
Yıldırım Tuğrul called Azerbaijan's reaction to the decision a dignified behavior:
“Azerbaijan did what was appropriate for itself. Azerbaijan has good relations with Israel. But good relations with a country do not mean accepting its mistakes. Azerbaijan also acted with dignity and expressed its position on the issue.”
Eylem Ertuğrul, a deputy from the Republican People's Party (CHP), the main opposition party of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), said that Israel is trying to blame its own faults on others:
“This is, of course, not a very acceptable situation. Evaluating the events of 1915 in a completely one-sided manner and adopting such a decision actually serves to somehow overlook the attacks carried out by their own governments in front of the whole world. That is, they are trying to blame their own faults on others.
Yes, unfortunately, there were casualties and unpleasant events during the 1915 events. But these losses were not only among our Armenian citizens, but also among our Turkish and Muslim citizens. These events occurred under the conditions of that period, within the framework of the First World War and the process of reshaping the region, especially as a result of the events on the Caucasian front. However, calling this a “genocide” is unacceptable.
Historians should make the decision on this matter. This is not a decision to be made by politicians and governments. Events should be evaluated according to the conditions of that period. Historians come to a conclusion by examining evidence and archives. Everyone presents documents belonging to their country or in their possession. State archives, Ottoman archives are examined: what happened, how it happened, for what reasons people lost their lives?
These must be presented. I repeat, in such a matter, the judgment must be given by historians, not politicians.”
The CHP deputy noted that Azerbaijan's position was expected:
“We expected such a step from Azerbaijan, a friendly and brotherly country, which we evaluate with the slogan 'Two states, one nation'. This is a positive behavior for us and supports our international positions. Of course, within the framework of such an understanding of alliance, the adoption of such a decision and the expression of a condemning position are very valuable and important for us.”
