Editor's Note: As reported In GPN, the Israeli Knesset is due to hold a hearing about the Armenian Genocide following a successful vote in the Knesset. Holding the debate itself is considered a significant success, according to informed observers who openly support recognition of the Armenian Genocide. However, there is little basis for hoping that the resolution will be voted favorably by the Knesset Committee.
The California Courier reported as follows:
The discussion about the Armenian Genocide and the need to recognize it should have taken place in the Knesset a long time ago, said Haim Oron, Knesset member and the head of Meretz party.
"I think that as sons of the Jewish People that knew the Holocaust and constantly fighting against those who deny the Holocaust, it's impossible to accept any disregarding of the Armenian Genocide. I hope that one day this recognition will be possible because we have a moral and educational duty to this subject, especially in this time when Israel keeps stressing the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust," Oron said.
The Tel-Aviv born, Oron served as secretary of the Hashomer Hatzair movement from 1968-1971, and as later secretary of the movement's leadership. He was a founding member of the Peace Now movement. From 1994-1995 he was treasurer of the Histadrut.
A Member of Knesset since 1988, he introduced a draft resolution in 2009 on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but the motion failed to gain the essential number of co-sponsors.
A Turkish news source, Today's Zaman, reported extensively on the remarks of various members of the Knesset, and that "The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the issue should not proceed any further."
Sources:
California Courier (February 18, 2010). Knesset MP says it is impossible to disregard Armenian Genocide.
Today's Zaman (April 30, 2010). Turkish-Israeli relations now face 'genocide' challenge.
GPN Staff
[Genocide scholars and GPN readers who follow the work of Professor Yair Auron, head of the Open University of Israel Program of Genocide Studies (see report in this issue) will be interested in knowing that Yair Auron and Haim Oron are brothers. They spell their names slightly differently in English but the same in Hebrew - Ed.]
The California Courier reported as follows:
The discussion about the Armenian Genocide and the need to recognize it should have taken place in the Knesset a long time ago, said Haim Oron, Knesset member and the head of Meretz party.
"I think that as sons of the Jewish People that knew the Holocaust and constantly fighting against those who deny the Holocaust, it's impossible to accept any disregarding of the Armenian Genocide. I hope that one day this recognition will be possible because we have a moral and educational duty to this subject, especially in this time when Israel keeps stressing the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust," Oron said.
The Tel-Aviv born, Oron served as secretary of the Hashomer Hatzair movement from 1968-1971, and as later secretary of the movement's leadership. He was a founding member of the Peace Now movement. From 1994-1995 he was treasurer of the Histadrut.
A Member of Knesset since 1988, he introduced a draft resolution in 2009 on recognition of the Armenian Genocide, but the motion failed to gain the essential number of co-sponsors.
A Turkish news source, Today's Zaman, reported extensively on the remarks of various members of the Knesset, and that "The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the issue should not proceed any further."
Sources:
California Courier (February 18, 2010). Knesset MP says it is impossible to disregard Armenian Genocide.
Today's Zaman (April 30, 2010). Turkish-Israeli relations now face 'genocide' challenge.
GPN Staff
[Genocide scholars and GPN readers who follow the work of Professor Yair Auron, head of the Open University of Israel Program of Genocide Studies (see report in this issue) will be interested in knowing that Yair Auron and Haim Oron are brothers. They spell their names slightly differently in English but the same in Hebrew - Ed.]
