May 31, 2011 - 10:56 AMT
Knesset panel can shelve Armenian Genocide resolution

Members of the Armenian National Committee of Jerusalem met with Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin on May 30 to discuss the Armenian Genocide recognition process.

"It is my duty as a Jew and Israeli to recognize the tragedies of other peoples," Rivlin said.

“We have for a long time cooperated with Mr. Rivlin, who stands for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Actually, it’s hard to say when the resolution may be adopted but we hope for the better,” ANC Jerusalem representative Georgette Avakian told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

Rivlin said that he wants to convene an annual parliamentary session of the full Knesset to mark the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire. "It is my duty as a Jew and Israeli to recognize the tragedies of other peoples," he said.

Meanwhile, a source in Israel said that the panel hearing might be delayed for an indefinite period. “No time limitation was set for the education committee, so it can just shelve it,” the source said.

On May 18, Members of the Knesset voted by a unanimous vote of 20-0 following the hearing to refer the subject for a further hearing to the Education Committee.