Knesset recognition of Armenian Genocide in limbo

PanARMENIAN.Net - On April 28, Chairman of Meretz bloc and member of the Israeli Knesset Haim Oron, the main supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition, submitted a debate on the issue.

The Knesset decided by 12 votes to 8, with one abstention, that one of its standing committees will discuss the resolution and determine whether it should be put to a full parliament vote.

As IzRus web source Deputy Editor Alexander Goldenstein told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, “Parliamentary committee to take up preliminary discussion on the issue is yet to be decided on. I believe, the issue will be submitted to Foreign Affairs and Security Committee for further discussions. Oron supporter, Likud party member Ze'ev Elkin, as well as his rival, the head of Israel-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Association Robert Ilatov are among Committee members. However, Oron remains sceptical about Knesset support.”

Meretz, Avoda party MPs as well as Arabian parliamentarians voted in favour of Oron’s initiative; members of Israel Our Home party were the main opponents to the initiative.

According to Alexander Goldenstein, Israel’s Armenian community, in view of limited number of its members, can hardly influence the decision. “Israeli-Azeri lobby can exert more influence on the issue. We have no information as to the exact time for the resolution to be considered. Genocide recognition issue is still in limbo,” he stated.