By Eldar S.,Special to Azerbaijan.US
Jerusalem, August 27, 2025
In a move sending shockwaves through regional geopolitics, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that he “recognizes” the 1915-1917 mass killings of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. The comment came during a podcast interview with Patrick Bet-David, an Armenian-American host, and marks the first time an Israeli premier has used the term so explicitly.
Yet, the timing speaks louder than the words. Netanyahu’s remark coincides with escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey, a NATO member and former strategic partner. For decades, successive Israeli governments avoided formal recognition of the Armenian tragedy, citing delicate security and trade ties with Ankara. That restraint appears to be eroding-fast.
Why Now? Political Signals Amid Regional Turmoil
Israel’s stance has always been transactional. The refusal to recognize the genocide historically reflected a desire to maintain Ankara’s cooperation in security and intelligence sharing. But the collapse of trust following years of disputes over Gaza, military alignments, and Erdoğan’s pivot toward Russia and Iran has rewritten the playbook.
Netanyahu’s off-the-cuff statement may not yet translate into legislation-Israel’s Knesset has never passed a resolution on the matter-but the signal is clear: Tel Aviv is willing to weaponize historical narratives to pressure Ankara. Whether this becomes policy or remains political theater depends on the next moves from both capitals.
Criticism and Strategic Risks
The Armenian National Committee of America was quick to dismiss Netanyahu’s gesture as hollow without accompanying action-such as halting arms deals with Azerbaijan or confronting Turkey over genocide denial. Critics argue that this “recognition” is more about optics than justice, designed to blunt global criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and shift the narrative.
For Israel, the gamble is high. Formal recognition could push Turkey closer to Moscow and Tehran, while straining Tel Aviv’s pragmatic ties with Baku-a key energy and security partner. For Armenia, however, the announcement offers symbolic validation amid its fragile normalization process with Turkey.
Historical Context
Global recognition of the Armenian genocide remains uneven. While the U.S., France, and most Western nations have acknowledged it, Turkey rejects the term, framing the events as wartime tragedies without genocidal intent. Israel’s decades-long ambiguity has been a cornerstone of its realpolitik in the Middle East. Netanyahu’s declaration, even if informal, suggests that calculus is shifting.
Bottom line: Whether this is a genuine pivot in Israel’s foreign policy or a tactical jab in its dispute with Ankara, the ripple effects will reach far beyond the symbolic realm-reshaping fault lines in the Eastern Mediterranean and the South Caucasus.
