Israel formally recognizes the Armenian Genocide

On June 28, 2026, the Israeli government cabinet unanimously approved a proposal by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. The move marks a shift in state policy, as Israel becomes the 35th nation to formally acknowledge the mass killings committed during the final years of the Ottoman Empire by the Committee of Union and Progress. Gideon Sa'ar stated that the decision represents a moral and historical obligation, emphasizing that it is never too late to do the right thing. In response, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the decision, labeling it a politically motivated attempt to distract from Israel's ongoing actions in Gaza. Turkey argues that the recognition ignores historical facts and ignores the current legal proceedings against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Ankara further claimed that the decision reflects the difficult position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding pending arrest warrants. The diplomatic development is expected to further strain the already difficult relations between Israel and Turkey.