February 17, 2009 - 18:50 AMT
Armenian Genocide debate likely in Knesset
The Jewish organizations in the U.S. started reviewing their positions on the Armenian Genocide recognition in 2006. The recent tensions in the Turkish-Israeli relations can serve as an extra impetus to that end, an Armenian professor said.

"It's necessary to keep in mind that the Jewish lobby worked hard to prevent recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Washington. Now, there is a real chance for an Armenian Genocide resolution to be passed in the 111th Congress," director of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the RA National Academy of Sciences, professor Ruben Safrastyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Judging by publications in Israeli press, we can conclude that Israeli political elite can reconsider positions on the Armenian genocide.

"I do not rule out that the issue will be brought to the Knesset floor soon," he said, adding that there are forces in Israel which will by all means hamper recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Tel Aviv.