Knesset’s Committee to continue discussion of the Armenian Genocide recognition bill.

Education, Culture and Sports Committee of Israeli Knesset will continue the discussion of the Armenian Genocide recognition bill.  Chairman of the Committee Alex Miller stated that the committee will gather again to discuss this "crucially important issue," Izrus reported. 

For the first time December 26 the Education, Culture and Sports Committee of the Israeli Knesset conducted open discussion of the issue. Few members of Knesset supported the initiative of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stressed the necessity of recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the "Jewish people that survived Genocide."

Foreign Minister of Israel expressed concern that the recognition of the Armenian Genocide may harm the relations with Turkey. "Our relations with Turkey are very fragile and sensitive. We cannot cross the line, we must treat the issue with sense. Such decision may have serious strategic consequences," the Foreign Ministry representative stated.

Speaker of Knesset Reuven Rivlin noted that the historical facts must not be forgotten and the fact of the massacres of the Armenian people 96 years ago must not be debated.

Initiator of the discussion MP from "Meretz" party Zehava Gal-On stated that that Armenian Genocide must be studied in the Israeli schools as Jewish people should be the first to recognize tragedies of the past.

MP from the National Unity faction Arieh Eldad considered it strange that previously Armenian Genocide was not recognized because of good relations with Turkey and now because of bad relations. "We cannot erase that chapter of history. We cannot ignore this issue only for our benefits," Eldad stressed.