As tension between Israel and Turkey continues to rise, the Knesset plenum was scheduled to debate on Wednesday a private member's bill from Meretz Chairwoman Tamar Zandberg proposing that Israel recognize the genocide Turkey perpetrated against the Armenian people a century ago.
"This is a matter of morality, not a passing political act," Zandberg said.
Starting in 1915, the Turks implemented an ethnic cleansing policy against Armenians, most of whom were living in the Ottoman Empire. Armenian communities were forced to evacuate and were marched toward Syria. As many as 1.5 million Armenians are estimated to have been killed.
Zandberg said it was "unacceptable" for Israel not to recognize the Armenian genocide, regardless of the conduct of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"For years, Israel has avoided recognizing the genocide of the Armenian people, one of the most horrible acts of killing of the 20th century. The failure to recognize it is a moral stain on Israel, and on every country that opted, in its own interests, to ignore a disaster that befell others," Zandberg added.
The government has opposed previous bills from Meretz MKs calling for Israel to recognize the Armenian genocide. However, a number of coalition MKs have announced that in light of growing tension between Israel and Turkey and Erdogan's attacks on Israel over its response to border riots last week that killed over 60 Hamas terrorists and Palestinian civilians, they intend to support Zandberg's bill.
Meanwhile, Erdogan continued to double down against Israel, saying on Tuesday that Turkey would consider canceling trade relations with Israel following next month's presidential election.
Erdogan was referring to a boycott on Israeli-manufactured goods organized by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. If the Turkish leader follows through on his threats, it will take the two nations one step closer to cutting ties entirely.
Nevertheless, Erdogan's remarks are not causing undue distress in Israel.
Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen told Israel Hayom on Tuesday that the "limping" Turkish economy, not Israel, would pay the price for cutting off bilateral economic relations.
Turkey imports $1.43 billion worth of goods per year, Cohen said.
"Even before the [latest] threat, given recent statements [from Erdogan], I issued instructions to cancel a planned conference on trade with Turkey that was scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv at the end of the month," Cohen said.
