MOSCOW, January 9 (Sputnik) – Israel does not have plans to recognize the 1915 genocide of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire, Israeli Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rafael Harpaz told Trend news agency.
“Regarding the government, its policy is very clear and it was earlier stated by foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman,” Harpaz said Thursday, referring to Lieberman’s words that Israel would not recognize the genocide because historical incidents tended to turn into political disputes.
Speaking of Israeli politicians who have urged the government to recognize the massacre, the ambassador said that Israel was a democratic country where everyone had two opinions, but pointed that “the government has a very clear opinion” on the matter.
Armenia and Turkey have different views on the mass extermination of 1.5 million of Armenians who were living in the Ottoman Empire which began in April 1915. Armenia considers it to be genocide, while Turkish authorities say the killings should be seen against a background of war.
The Armenian genocide has been recognized by a number of countries, including Russia, the United States, France and Germany, as well as some international organizations.
Turkey and Armenia broke off diplomatic relations in 1993, and the border between the countries has been sealed since then.
